Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Board Chairman of the Engineering Council of Ghana, Ing. Dr. Kwame Boakye says Ghanaian engineers are not given enough credit for their work.
According to him, Ghanaian engineers are very good at what they do and therefore their expertise is “second to none.”
He explained that despite the many challenges befalling the sector, engineers do their best.
Dr Boakye made these assertions at the Engineering Council’s breakfast meeting in Accra on September 24.
He explained that issues with many architectural and infrastructure projects in the country stem from a poor maintenance culture rather than a lack of professionalism among engineers.
“Generally, we tend to hear of engineers only when something goes wrong. Part of this is because we haven’t exposed the general public to the workings of engineering. Engineers do a lot that, as a nation, we haven’t given them enough credit.”
“Take power generation, for example: VRA is run by Ghanaian engineers; ECG, Ghana Water, though not perfect, demonstrate professionalism in their work. The capacity of Ghanaian engineers is second to none,” he added.
Dr. Kwame Boakye also stated that little to no budget is allocated for the maintenance of infrastructure projects, leading to the deteriorating conditions of many of Ghana’s facilities.
“How many politicians have said they helped to maintain 100 miles of road? They talk about the new roads they’ve built.” He added, “We don’t have enough engineering professionals at the governance level; they take orders, and that has to change.”
On his part, Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Dr. Prince Hamid Armah, who represented the sector minister as the special guest of honor, assured that the government is working to ensure that the engineering sector upholds its standards.
