The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has opened its 53^rd Conference and AGM in Takoradi with a call by the Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, to Engineers in Ghana and Africa as a whole, to use their local engineers and contractors to build their roads as was done in the days of Kasajan in Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s regime.

The respected Chief also called on them to have consciousness of liberation, self-motivation, self-discipline, and self-correction in their profession.

Nana Kobina Nketia V was speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the week-long celebration of the GhIE Annual Conference and 53^rd AGM on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi.

Speaking on the theme “Resilient Engineering for National Development”, the Essikado Paramount Chief, said, engineering has always been a key driver of national development and the role of resilient engineering in this process cannot be overstated.

He stressed that "as we look into the future, it is clear that resilient engineering will be more important than ever".

He added that "as a country, we cannot say our current infrastructure is resilient. We have challenges with our roads, drainage, Electricity and water supply. Let us think of ways to surmount these problems and let us find practicable ways of implementing these solutions".

In his welcome address, the President of the GhIE, Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams said there is a need to encourage the government and private sector to invest in the training and development of engineering practitioners and promote an enabling environment for them to practice their profession without interference from political actors or unqualified individuals.

He added, this would help to ensure that the infrastructure development in the country is sustainable, resilient and meet the needs of the people now and in the future.

He welcomed delegates from sister countries, especially, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Liberia, especially, the President of West Africa Federation of Engineers (WAFEO), and other professional bodies from Ghana who made their way to the Conference.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, who was the Special Invited Guest, seized the opportunity to inform the engineers that an indigenous Adiembra Youth in the Sekondi-Takoradi is gradually contributing to the Ghana Beyond Aid chant.

He said the young man is into manufacturing of locally vehicles and other logistics, and the Minister admitted that, he used one of his cars for the just ended 66^th Independence Day Parade inspection at the Sekondi Gyandu Park.

“We have great tycoons in the country who need support. I will, in this regard, appeal to the Institution to assist in investing and promoting these young entrepreneurs gifted with great skills and subsequently, create job opportunities for them”, the Minister appealed.

Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah commended the out-going President of the GhIE, Rev. Prof. Ing. Charles Anum Adams and his able team for their commitments and contributions to the institution, with the view of promoting and sustaining sound and competent engineering practices in Ghana comparable to global standards and conforming to environmental and safety standards.

Fraternal messages were delivered by Engineering Associations from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia and the President of the West African Engineering Organization (WAFEO), Ing. Prof. Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr.

In attendance were Council members of GhIE, Women in Engineering (Wine), representatives from other professional bodies in Ghana and Incoming President of the GhIE, Ing. Kwabena Bempong.

The Conference was called to order by the Executive Director of the GhIE, Ing. David Kwatia Nyante, who said this year's conference is aimed to explore the ways in which engineering can contribute to building a more resilient Ghana, by bringing together experts from various fields to share their knowledge, insights and best practices in engineering as well as discuss the challenges that lie ahead.