IET-GH Calls for Ministerial Orientation on Governance




The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-GH), has strongly refuted recent comments made by the Greater Accra Regional Minister suggesting that engineers in the region were responsible for issuing a controversial building permit on a Ramsar site.

In a press statement, IET-GH described the minister’s remarks — which hinted at the transfer of 99.9% of engineers from the region — as unfortunate and misleading, emphasizing that engineering practitioners have no authority to issue building or development permits.

According to IET-GH, the authority to issue such permits is clearly vested in the Spatial Planning Committee (SPC) of the various Metropolitan, Municipal, or District Assemblies (MMDAs), as stipulated in the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925). This committee comprises a wide range of professionals, including planning officers, environmental protection representatives, and traditional leaders, among others, and is chaired by the Assembly's Chief Executive.

“The responsibility for physical planning decisions lies with a collective of professionals, not solely with engineers,” the statement emphasized.

While distancing engineering practitioners from the permit approval process, the IET-GH called for a full investigation into any instances where individuals may have acted outside their professional mandate. The institution reiterated its commitment to ethical standards and welcomed any lawful steps to ensure accountability.

In a bid to prevent future misinformation and build better collaboration, IET-GH urged the Office of the Chief of Staff to consider orientation programs for Regional Ministers to enhance their understanding of governance structures and professional roles in the built environment.

The statement was signed by Engr. Henry Kwadwo Boateng, President of IET-GH.

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