Dr. Ebow Bannerman, President of the Ghana Association of Consultants (GAC), has appealed to the government to provide opportunities for local consultants to build their capacity and sharpen their skills. “Local consultants need to be considered and there is the need to improve upon the negotiating skills of local consultants and enhance their chances of winning bids and executing contracts,” he said. Dr. Bannerman said this at a forum organised by the Association on the theme, “Joint Ventures and Associations in Consulting” “In business development, preparation of bids as well as in contract execution, we have at one time or the other found ourselves talking to another either local or foreign consultant about coming together to enhance our chances of winning bids,” he added. Dr. Bannerman said the issue of joint ventures and association is therefore relevant in international and local consultancy. “Given their importance in our practice, joint ventures and associations therefore warrant a focus in our efforts at strengthening the capacity of our local consultancy industry”. Mr. Kwadwo Sarfo Debrah, Past President of the Ghana Institute of Engineers, mentioned lack of transparency, non transfer of technology, poor interpersonal skill of partners and lack of proper structures as some of the challenges facing successful joint ventureships and associations. Mr. Joseph Winful, Senior Partner, KPMG Ghana, appealed to consultants to change their culture of sole ownership and step up efforts to form joint ventures for maximum gain. Mr. Winful advised local consultants to specialize to enable them to compete both locally and internationally. Mr. Steve Akuffo, Past President of the Ghana Institute of Architects, said financial constraint was a major challenge facing architectural consultancy firms. Mrs. Rosa Kudoadzi, a legal practitioner, said most contracts awarded to foreign consultants could be managed locally if well structured joint venture ships were put in place. Source: GNA