A representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has pledged their commitment to collaborate with Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) to chart new paths towards making engineering a key tool for sustainable development.

This was contained in a statement read on behalf of the Representative of UNESCO to Ghana, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo by Ms Melody Boateng at the maiden edition of the World Engineering Day (WED) held at the Accra Technical University Auditorium on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

Speaking on the theme: 'Engineering for Sustainable Development Tools for Skills Development', the statement noted that “Engineering is critical for sustainable development and economic advancement and that it is not possible to have a modern economy without engineering. Every one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could be advanced through engineering. A world Engineering Day will be an opportunity to demonstrate the role of engineers and engineering, to develop solutions to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”.

“We are therefore pleased to collaborate with the Ghana Institution of Engineering to chart new paths towards making engineering not just a profession but also a key tool for sustainable development”, Ms Melody Boateng emphasised. 

The President of GhIE, Ing. Leslie Alexander Ayeh, in his address, encouraged the young people, especially, the girl child to resolve to study science and Engineering and begin to seek better ways of doing things which would transform our society.

He urged Women in Engineering (WINE) to continue mentoring the younger ones to take Engineering as their profession.

Ing. Ayeh admonished that the Global Engineering practice acknowledges the dwindling of natural resources and as engineers, they need to think of practices which would ensure sustainable development as the appetite for development grows.

The Executive Director of GhIE, Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong announced to the gathering that the Annual General Conference for GhIE is scheduled to start on Wednesday, 25th March and climaxes with a Banquet on Friday, 27th March at 8 pm at the Accra International Conference Centre, with the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the Special Guest of honour. He called on all Engineers, Engineering students, organizations and the general public to partner with GhIE to make the week celebration a memorable one since it has coincided with the Month of the first-ever World Engineering Day celebration.

Ing. Anthony Mensah, a Director at the Ministry of Sanitation & Water Resources, who represented the sector Minister, Cecilia Dapaah said the ministry is one of the many ministries that need and work closely with Engineers to deliver their mandates.  Her message congratulated all Engineers in the country for the celebration of the maiden edition of the World Engineering Day.

The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Samuel Nii Odai, Vice-Chancellor of the Accra Technical University said Engineering is the backbone of development so his institution was proud to be associated with GhIE to make the day a memorable one in the annals of the Engineering profession in the world.

The President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), Prof. Gong Ke in a goodwill message played at the ceremony said Africa is an important continent, without sustainable development of Africa, there would be no sustainable development of the world. He reminded that in celebrating the World Engineering Day, “let’s engage ourselves more proactively in achieving UN sustainable development goals and march forth to a better future of Africa and the world left no one behind”.

Students from various primary, JHS, SHS and Universities took part in the celebration. Similar celebrations took place in Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi to celebrate engineers worldwide. Exhibition of modern Engineering works were demonstrated by the school children as part of the celebration.