The Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) has officially announced the nomination of 50 outstanding urban and regional planners from across all 16 regions of Ghana for its prestigious 2023 GIP Awards. The annual awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and outstanding contributions to urban and regional planning, land use management, and geospatial technology applications in Ghana.

Among the promising contenders for top honours this year are Dr Bernard Fosu Frimpong, a leading expert in remote sensing and geospatial technology applications. Bernard is a Germany-based Ghanaian whose innovative geospatial training for planners across the country has elevated the skills of various planning professionals across the country. It can be recalled that he was the mastermind behind 2 major geo special trainings sponsored by GIP and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources sometime back in 2015, and the recent edition in Kumasi.

Another professional tipped to make a mark this year is Mrs. Stella Agyeman-Duah, an urban renewal strategist known for her sustainable city designs in the Greater Accra Region; Mr. Nimo Addae, who pioneered a groundbreaking land tenure digitisation project in the Bono Region; Dr Appiah Tetteh, whose work on climate resilience in coastal settlements has gained national recognition; and Ms. Abena Owusuaa, a rising star in smart city planning initiatives. These professionals have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to Ghana’s urban transformation.

Among this year’s nominees are 5 professionals from the Eastern Region, 11 from the Greater Accra Region, 8 from the Bono Region, 9 from the Ashanti and 15 from the 4 northern regions.

Award Categories

This year’s GIP Awards feature several competitive categories, including:

● Geo-Planner of the Year Award (Recognising excellence in geospatial applications in planning)
● Sustainable Development Planning Award (For outstanding contributions to environmental and urban sustainability)
● Best Smart City Planner Award (For leveraging technology and innovation in urban planning)
● Rural and Regional Development Award (For contributions to planning in rural communities)
● Best Young Planner Award (Recognising an emerging professional making significant strides in the field)

This year's event will be adjudicated by over 10 distinguished panels of judges, composed of esteemed professionals in urban planning and environmental management who will evaluate nominees based on a set of rigorous criteria. Speaking on the nominations, Prof. Emmanuel Asamoah, a senior lecturer in spatial planning, noted, “We assessed planners based on their innovation, impact, and ability to integrate sustainable solutions into real-world challenges. This year’s nominees demonstrated a deep commitment to shaping the future of urban planning in Ghana.”

Another judge, Dr. Anita Mensah, a GIS and land administration expert, emphasised the importance of technological innovation in the selection process. “For categories like the Geo-Planner of the Year, we focused on professionals who have creatively used GIS, remote sensing, and digital mapping to address critical urban and environmental challenges in Ghana,” she explained.

Additionally, Mr. Kwame Bediako, a former GIP President and a member of the selection committee, applauded the high level of competition this year. “The nominations were extremely competitive. We prioritised planners who have not only implemented transformative projects but have also influenced policy and community development at regional and national levels,” he stated.

The winners of the 2023 GIP Awards will be announced at a grand ceremony on December 15, 2023, in Accra. This event is expected to be a major highlight in the urban planning and development sector, celebrating the finest professionals shaping Ghana’s urban and regional future.