The President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-GH), Engr. Henry Kwadwo Boateng, has challenged newly inducted engineers to uphold integrity and excellence, stressing that Ghana needs “engineers of conscience, not just engineers on paper.”

Speaking at the induction ceremony of more than 200 practitioners, Engr Boateng said the future of the nation rests not only on technical expertise but also on the moral compass of its professionals. He reminded the inductees that engineering is about people and lives, not merely machines and equations.

“Today, we are not only celebrating your entry into the noble family of engineering — we are also reflecting on the sacred values that must guide us: integrity and excellence,” he said.

Engr Boateng expressed concern over professional misconduct that has cost the country dearly. Citing a national forum, he recalled President John Mahama’s disclosure that the Electricity Company of Ghana loses about 42 per cent of its power, partly due to theft, illegal connections, and the complicity of engineers.

He also referenced the shutdown of a water treatment plant caused by upstream pollution, which deprived entire districts of clean water, and the widespread abandonment of government projects such as schools, hospitals, and factories.

“These could have built a better Ghana,” he said. “But instead, they stand as silent monuments of waste.”

Despite the grim realities, the IET president framed the occasion as a challenge and a call to duty. He urged the inductees to resist corruption and work with honesty and patriotism.

“Distinguished inductees, let this be your call to action,” he said. “Let your name and your work be synonymous with quality, honesty, and service to humanity.”

Engr Boateng emphasized that the profession demands more than titles or technical skills. “Ghana needs engineers of conscience — engineers who will design with integrity, build with excellence, and serve with patriotism,” he declared.

The ceremony, themed “Professional Integrity and Excellence: The Hallmark of the Modern Engineering Professional,” ended with the new engineers taking their oath of service, underscoring a commitment that Boateng said should define their careers and legacy.