Prove Your Relevance Beyond Titles and Conferences – Otumfuo to Surveyors
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has challenged the Governing Council of the Ghana Institute of Surveyors (GhIS) to prove their salience to Ghanaians.
The King made the statement when the group called on him at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, to inform and seek his permission and blessings to host their annual conference in Kumasi this year.
Recognizing the significant essence of the profession of surveyors, Otumfuo stated, “One needs to go through three stages before erecting a building, taking into consideration boundaries and waterways. Your jobs are crucial. Had we valued it, we wouldn’t be suffering today.”
He further challenged them to give Ghanaians the chance to benefit from their services and let their visibility go beyond conferences and the titles they hold.
“Their work is disregarded and people are now building in waterways. We are bearing the brunt now. Why aren’t we able to recognise boundaries when putting up structures? Take advantage of your union and work at that. You have a part to play in property taxes collected by the government.
“You can give us the estimate of immovable properties in Kumasi or Ghana. How many are industrial buildings and what estimate of taxes from them can be effectively deduced by you? It is part of your job. There must be collaboration between you and the government in that regard… Let us see your worth. It should not be in titles and English. Let Ghanaians profit from your knowledge.”
The Monarch suggested they approach the offices of chiefs or issue proposals to the government about irregularities.
Conference
The Association made up of the Valuation and Estate Surveying Division (VES), the Land Surveying Division (LS) and the Quantity Surveying Division (QS) will be hosting their conference in Kumasi from February 22 to February 25.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Surveyor James Ebo Dadson, the immediate past President of the GhIS said the conference will be used to induct Dr. Anthony Arko Adjei as the new President.
“We usually hold our conference in Accra but this year, we will have it in Kumasi. Our President will bring his work to an end this Saturday. He will be replaced by Dr. Anthony Arko Adjei, a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science a Technology.”
International Conferences
On his part, the outgoing President apprised Otumfuo about two international conferences it has brokered to host in Ghana this year.
“The Ghana Institute of Surveyors and the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana will be hosting two world conferences in Accra in May and October. The International Federation of Surveyors will be at its world conferences in May from the 19th to the 24th. That is going to involve surveyors from all over the world looking at different aspects of surveying. Then in October, the Engineering Council and the African Association of Quantity Surveyors will also have another conference, in Accra and it’s also a world conference.”
He intends to invite the King as the latter conference will host traditional authorities who are custodians of the land to solicit their views on the proposed subject.
“We will make official correspondence concerning that {to your office},” he told the King.
Delegation
A delegation made up of the Governing Council and led by Surv. Alhaji Sulemana Daud Mahama, the President, included Surv. Dr. Anthony Arko Adjei (FGhIS), the Senior Vice President, Surv. Kofi Obeng-Ayirebi (FGhIS), the Vice President, Surv. Kwame Obeng Adjinah (MGhIS), the General Secretary, Surv. Peter Adomako Opoku, Treasurer and Surv. Kwame Obeng Adjinah (MGhIS), Treasurer.
