President of the Ghana Institute of Architects(GIA), Foster Osae Akonnor, has stated that it takes a minimum of eight years after Senior High School for one to be qualified as an Architect.
Speaking at the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Ghana Institute of Architects’(GIA) Town Hall meeting, he made it known that only two tertiary institutions in Ghana offer Architecture; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Central University.
Speaking from the perspective of an architect, the President of the GIA envisioned Sekondi Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana to become a Beautiful, Vibrant, and Sustainable City in the Future.
‘ I see the opportunities in the areas of economic, sociocultural, personal development, and environmental attributes, but this can only happen if all of us put our minds to it, and have a vision of the development of the physical or built environment of the entire Western Region without leaving behind any of the administrative capitals of the Metropolitan and Municipal District Assemblies within the Region and develop a needed three-dimensional-planning scheme or masterplan strategy, say a fifteen year Strategic plan document and consciously follow through its implementation, this is what we have to do”, he said.
He explained that for this to happen, there is a need for a collaborative effort to collect data on the economic, sociocultural, environmental as well as Physical attributes of all the fourteen metropolitan and municipal district Assemblies, the data collected will be documented, analyzed, and synthesized and eventually reformed into a masterplan.
He urged all to collaborate to make the built environment of the Western region become a pride to the eye.
The Regional Chief Director commends GIA for their outstanding duties.
Regional Chief Director, Mr. Frederick Agyemang, has commended the Ghana Institute of Architects(GIA) for promoting, training, and carrying out research in the art of science and architecture and its related disciplines in the building industry.
He said this at the 60th Anniversary Celebration town hall meeting of the GIA, held in Takoradi at the Western Regional Coordinating Council under the theme ‘ Architects and the community’.
He also commended the organizers of the town hall meeting, adding that, the role of the Ghanaian Architect is memorable and must be recognized in the community.
According to him, Architecture is and has always been the blueprint in creating our world.
‘ Through olden times, Architecture has been the representative of the social order reflecting the success, morals, and ultimate downfall of civilization over time. You will agree with me that Architecture is unique because it allows us to create what we want in our economy. Our beautiful edifices and structures we see are all as a result of Architectural intelligence due to the creative foundation and attention of agents’, he said.
He further stated that Architecture has become a profession that is admired and Practiced by young men and women in Ghana.
He urged all and sundry, to understand the spatial aspect of the society and the relationship that exist between Architecture and human activities.
He stressed that the relationship that exists between Architecture and human activities is within the wider framework of the Association that exists between the community and special form.
‘ The community creates an avenue for the architect who is unique and specific to a particular society. I must therefore take hold that any change in Architecture is determined by the community. Our community is the end user of the works of the Architect. Community and Architecture therefore revolve people in building and improving their environment.’
He stressed that Architecture in recent times, especially in residential areas has developed into a valued culture and therefore requires a considerable investment.
He assured that the government on its part will continue capacity building to revamp the building industry to create more jobs in the area of Architecture and its relations.
He called on Stakeholders, Professionals, and Presiding members amongst others to make a consented effort and reform our system to meet the technological expertise in our local communities.
He also urged architects to be more responsible in planning, designing, and molding suitable structures in the community.
