The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) held its 55th Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference from Monday 24th March to 28th March 2025, in Accra. The theme for the conference was, “Urbanisation and Smart Cities: Engineering, the Future of Ghana Cities”. The Opening ceremony attracted Engineering Practitioners from Ghana, some African countries and the Federation of African Engineering Organisation (FAEO), represented by the President, Eng. Buthelezi Refilwe.
Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwame Agbodza appreciated the pivotal role engineers play in shaping Ghana’s future. He indicated that engineers are not just builders, but rather, visionaries and problem-solvers who drive development, transform societies and uplift generations. He echoed the President’s vision to build a robust, inclusive and resilient economy, driven by strategic infrastructure investments through the “Big Push Agenda,” which is a bold, forward-looking agenda aimed at empowering Ghanaians and position Ghana as a leader in Africa’s development.
Hon. Agbodza also mentioned some of the key pillars supporting the Big Push Agenda to include Transforming Transportation Networks for Economic Connectivity; Sustainable Energy Development for a Resilient Future; Water and Sanitation as Fundamental; Digital Transformation and Investing in Social Infrastructure for Human Capital. “Ghana’s future depends on what we do today.
The President of GhIE, Ing. Kwabena Bempong, in his opening address described the theme for the Conference as appropriate, considering the increasing global urbanisation of countries, with its attendant challenges and opportunities. “This presents us as Engineering Practitioners with the need to step up our game by taking advantage of the technological advancements to engineer our cities. It requires a concerted effort to bring the concepts of urbanisation and smart cities to the fore with the view to helping shape the future of human settlements and by extension, our cities,” he shared.
The week-long event included an Annual General Meeting (AGM), Technical Presentations, Presidential Investiture, Banquet & Engineering Excellence Awards Night and a tour of GRIDCo’s Smelter II & Volta Control Rooms. The Awards Night inducted Ing. Bismark Anane, Director Land Management Department (LMD) as a Fellow of the GhIE.
Mrs. Dzifa Bampoh, Manager, Corporate Communications; Ms. Joana Ohui Tetteh, Principal Public Relations Officer and Ing. Salma Adam, Senior Electrical Engineer, took turns to man GRIDCo’s exhibition booth for two days at the event. GRIDCo’s exhibition centered on the Telecom and Consulting business of GRIDConsult.
Present at the event, were a cross section of Engineering staff from GRIDCo, including, Ing. Obed Essandoh, Principal Electrical Engineer; Ing. Fred Yobo, Senior Electrical Engineer; Ing. Mrs. Doreen Ampadu, Senior Electrical Engineer; and Ing. Matthew Arthur, Senior Electrical Engineer.