The President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams, has delivered the 51^st Presidential Address in Accra on Thursday, June 23, 2022, with a call for a concerted effort, proper collaboration of relevant stakeholders to construct durable road transport systems.

The 51^st Presidential Address was on the topic: Contemporary Transportation Infrastructure Development in Ghana: Interrogating the Nexus of Engineering, Politics and Sustainability.

Delivering his address, Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams said a lot of Ghana’s road networks are in a deplorable state and this has affected the country’s economy, where people spend long hours in traffic. It has affected productivity at various workplaces and cited a typical example of the Accra-Tema motorway.

He suggested some solutions to the problem, saying, the problem must be devoid of politics, but rather, road construction contracts should be awarded to certified Engineers and contractors.

He added that road expansion is needed to accommodate the ever-increasing vehicles on our roads.

He also called for governments to have a succession plans for road construction to avoid neglect of roads due to change in government.

He further appealed to politicians not to use the road sector as campaign messages. Urging, members of the Ghana Institution of Engineering to up their game to get these jobs done.

He therefore called on government to consult the Ghana Institution of Engineering and other professional bodies before awarding contracts to either individuals or organisations regarding roads.

On road construction, the GhIE President proposed warm-mix asphalt instead of hot asphalt because the former reduces emissions. He also recommended Bio-binders for road construction or recycled materials for road durability, as well as the use of eco-friendly materials.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of GhIE, Ing. David Nyante explained that the Presidential Address is perhaps the most important highlight of the tenure of the President of the Institution, and that every President of the Institution delivers an address in his or her area of practice and expertise. It is for this reason that Ing. Rev. Prof. Charles Anum Adams is delivering on the theme: Transportation, Engineering and Politics, on the above chosen topic.

The Chairman of the ceremony, Ing. Kwesi Abbey Sam, in his closing remarks, said transport is a key driver on the road to ending poverty so there is the need for planned city space.

He said Engineers must insist on doing the right thing and must insist on delivery of quality work.

Ing. Abbey emphasised that no nation is built by foreigners, so we should encourage our local engineers and contractors who are doing well, irrespective of their political affiliations.

A roundtable panel discussion of the Presidential Address was done immediately after the presentation.

Present at the colourful ceremony included the President of the Federation of African Engineering Organization (FAEO), Ing. Mrs. Carlien Bou-Chedid; Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur; Ing. Francis Addai Nimo; Ing. Kwabena Bempong, President-elect of GhIE; Council members of GhIE; Past Presidents of GhIE; Christian Nti, CEO of Ghana Highways Authority, who was a member of the panel of discussion and other distinguished engineers.