Managing Director of FBNBank Ghana says Ghana needs professionals with integrity who will work to effectively contribute towards the much-needed economic development and growth of the country.

Victor Yaw Asante said, “It  is a fact that Ghana needs more professionals in all sectors of the economy; however as I have said earlier, just numbers would not deliver the much-needed development if there is no quality and this applies to all the three divisions of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors Quantity Survey, Land Survey and Valuation and Estate Survey Divisions."

Delivering the keynote address at the Induction Ceremony and 53rd Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), he indicated that noted that the country needs not just professionals but professionals with integrity.

"We need Surveyors, Bankers, Doctors, Lawyers, Musicians, Actors, Architects, Engineers, Soldiers, Police Officers and many other professionals with integrity.”

According to Mr Asante, “in the case of the human resource development, I hasten to say that the GhIS is on track with its agenda. What seems to be lacking includes the legal framework for and the passing of a Survey Council Bill to regulate the three surveying divisions in Ghana.

"With the right legal backing, the GhIS and the Government can, for example, keep the practice of the Survey professions aligned with the regulations thereby ensuring that the required quality is available for the development of the country.

"We have that in the banking sector where the Bank of Ghana wields the disciplinary stick whenever necessary with good effect. It is also the case of the General Legal Council and the Ghana Medical and Dental Council, so it should not be too much of an ask to demand this from the Survey Professionals.”

He added that the legal framework and the Survey Council Bill, members of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors must remain committed to the ethics and values of the Institution.

"Personally, I believe the values of the Institution provide ample guidance for members. Talk about Creativity and Innovation, Professionalism, Ethics, Teamwork, Integrity and Accountability. All these mean so much and would make a huge difference only if they are adhered to by members."

The event which was held in the Cedi Conference Centre on the campus of the University of Ghana saw the induction of 194 new members and two members who were elevated to the class of Fellows.

It formed part of the activities lined up as part of the celebration of the 17th Surveyor’s Week and the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the GhIS.

In his welcome address, the President of the GHIS, Dr John Amaglo congratulated the new inductees on their undertaken journey.

He also urged them to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Institution.

He entreated the inductees and new fellows to respect the code of conduct and above all render their service with integrity.

He advised the new members not to be content with just being inducted into the GhIS but to pursue more professional courses in order to enhance their ability and capacity.

The GhIS was formed in 1969 as the umbrella body for professionals in the three survey professions in Ghana with the mission to develop, provide and maintain excellent professional leadership in surveying disciplines, offer valuable services, advance members' welfare, and positively influence society in land management and development.

With a membership of about 3,000 professionals, the GhIS is an internationally recognized professional organization committed to providing effective leadership and excellence in land resource management for sustainable development.