The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) together with other professional institutions in the Built-Environment are providing free consultancy for the construction of a 100-bed capacity Infectious Disease Centre valued at US$4.5 million for the Ga East Municipal Hospital at Kwabenya.

The project which is progressing steadily is to be completed in six weeks and is being financed with contributions from the Ghana’s Private Sector as their support to complement government efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the GhIS is providing pro-bono land and quantity survey services for the project, whiles the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces is supervising the project.

Dr John Amaglo, President of the GhIS, speaking to the media during a visit by the executives of the Institution to the site, called on government to work with the country’s professional institutions in the Built-Environment to enable them build their capacity and save the nation from high cost of engaging foreign consultants for government projects.

He said the nation’s professionals such as surveyors, architects, planners and engineers were capable of delivering to the highest level on any project assigned to them.

He explained that the GhIS is offering pro-bono consultancy to the project as its contribution to complement government effort in the fight against the Coronavirus disease.

Dr Amaglo also said in difficult times like these it is important to assemble the best of professionals to help in the construction of the 100-bed capacity Infectious Disease Centre to serve as isolation and treatment facility for COVID-19 cases.

Mr Senyo Hosi, Managing Trustee of the Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund, key partners of the Fund, said members had been kind and generous in their donation to the project.

He said despite the very difficult times when businesses were struggling and personal financing were challenging, people had identified with the project and found time and energy to donate.

He commended the GhIS and other professional institutions such as the Ghana Institute of Architect, the Planners and Engineers for their time and dedication to the project.

“If you look at all the professionals that have work on the project, they have dedicated their priceless time to make sure we are where we are today,” he added.

Mr Hosi expressed the hope that the project would serve as a benchmark or a model that governments and key construction players in the country would use to re-orient their views about the technical professionals that the country has.

He urged government to continue to work with the country’s professional institutions to enable it save money in terms of hiring foreign consultants for its projects.