The Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) has officially launched its Golden Jubilee anniversary celebration at the Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) night held at the auditorium of the Academy of Arts & Sciences in Accra on Thursday, 22nd February, 2018.

The year-long celebration, which was launched by the President of GhIE, Ing. Mrs. Carlien Bou-Chedid as part of her welcome at the Engineering Excellence Awards, is under the theme: GhIE @ 50: Engineering Ghana’s Sustainable Development.

Launching the 50 year anniversary of GhIE, Ing. Bou-Chedid said: “As part of our Golden Jubilee, we will be having many activities monthly till the end of the year. We look forward to seeing all Engineering practitioners actively participating in the year-long Golden Jubilee activities, which is scheduled to have a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, 20th March, 2018 at the ISGC, Teiman, Abokobi, near Oyarifa in Accra’’.

The Special Guest of honour for the awards ceremony, Dr. Patrick Awuah, President of Ashesi University drew the attention of Engineers in the country to the threat that global climate change poses to society and called on engineering minds to find solutions because of its obvious danger to society, whilst ensuring ethical behavior in their operations.

On the awards, the Chairman of Research & Awards Committee, Ing. David K. Nyante said, “the purpose of the EEA is to appreciate engineering practitioners for their contribution in maintaining high integrity in engineering practice, encouraging innovation among students and the general public and to create interest in engineering issues among the general public’’. Ing. Nyante called on Engineers and the general public to actively participate in the 2018 entries when they are launched to enable more and well deserving projects to be recognized and awarded accordingly.

In the Practitioners/Projects Category, Ing. Dr. Samuel Kofi Tulashie won the Research (Academic-Industrial) award while Dr. Shadrack K. Amponsah was adjudged the winner of Most Published Author in Engineering award.

Engineering Concepts and Innovation award went to All Nations University College- Space Laboratory team for launching the first ever Ghanaian built Satellite into space, Seaweld Engineering also won the best Engineering Business Management award, Ing. Frank K. Pinto won the award for the best implementation of Engineering solutions, whilst Ing. Mrs. Florence Cobbold won the distinguished woman in Engineering Excellence awards.

In the Students and Young Innovators Category, Juaben SHS was adjudged the best in Innovation: Applied Science & Mathematics in SHS awards, for converting municipal solid wastes to electricity. Miss Agyeiwaa Josephine Hinneh from Bishop Owusu Girls JHS in Brong Ahafo region, won in the JHS level for using innovation in producing cocoyam in large scale.

The Public Awards Category, which is meant for non-engineers, saw Mr. Maxwell Agbagba of Multimedia winning the best Engineering Evangelism award and Mr. Frank Darko also winning the best Public Innovation award for his Water Bicycle Project.

The event, which was attended by Council members, Past Presidents of GhIE, President-elect of GhIE, Ing. Steve Anoff Amoaning-Yankson, other professional bodies and the general public, was sponsored by Ghana Gas, Bui Power Authority and Tullow Ghana Limited.

- Award winners with the President of GhIE, Ing. Mrs. Carlien Bou-Chedid and Chairman of Research & Awards Committee, Ing. David K. Nyante and Special Guest of honour, Dr. Patrick Awuah.