By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho, Sept 20, GNA – Mrs. Antoinette Ama Agboado, Chairperson of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) Branch Six, has said engineers are well-positioned to transform ideas into reality, making them vital contributors to national development.
She highlighted the essential role engineers play in modern society, emphasising that industry players are the driving force behind advancement in technology and development.
Mrs. Antoinette Ama Agboado said these during the maiden conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Branch 6, comprising engineers from the Volta and Oti regions, in Ho on Thursday.
It was to discuss the state of engineering in the region and chart a path forward for sustainable development.
The event, themed “Responsible Engineering for Sustainability in a World of Emerging Technologies,” brought together engineers, stakeholders, and representatives from various institutions to address critical issues facing the industry.
She pointed out the lack of private-sector engineering initiatives in the region, stating that engineers have distanced themselves from establishing factories and companies.
She noted that in the Volta and Oti regions, the engineering profession has been largely associated with government institutions such as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Water Company, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), and the Roads Sector (Highways, Urban Roads, and Feeder Roads).
“Apart from the proliferation of small-scale ventures like pure water businesses, there is little evidence of private engineering practice in the region,” she remarked.
Mrs. Agboado stressed that no region could develop without the significant input of professional, ethical engineering practices, and urged local engineers to take a more active role in regional development.
She also expressed concern about the limited job opportunities for engineering practitioners in the Volta and Oti regions, despite the presence of Ho Technical University (HTU), one of the largest institutions producing engineering graduates in the area.
“It is often difficult for students to find places for practical experience, which is a key component of their education,” she noted.
Agboado emphasized the need for more collaboration between educational institutions and industry to provide practical training and job opportunities for young engineers.
Mrs. Agboado went on to highlight the global trend of leveraging engineering, technology, and innovation for wealth creation and economic growth.
She cited examples of how innovations in fields such as semiconductor technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and 5G connectivity have enabled small countries like Israel and Japan to achieve economic and military dominance.
These technologies, she said, are the drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Ghana must embrace them to remain competitive.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, delivered the keynote address, focusing on the potential of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology to transform lives.
However, he emphasized the need for responsible engineering to address challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality.
“The question we must ask ourselves is how we can leverage these technologies to promote sustainability and ensure that future generations are not disadvantaged,” he said.
Dr. Letsa urged engineers, policymakers, and stakeholders to prioritize sustainability in all projects, invest in research and development of green technologies, and advocate for policies that support sustainable engineering practices.
He also stressed the importance of educating the next generation of engineers to carry forward the mission of responsibility, sustainability, and accountability in the face of emerging technologies.
Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University, who chaired the conference, challenged the engineers present to focus on problem-solving rather than lamenting the current state of affairs.
He called on them to take proactive steps in addressing the challenges facing the engineering profession and the broader development agenda in the region.
The conference was attended by engineers from across the Volta and Oti regions, representatives from the National Road Safety Authority, the Regional Commander MTTD, the Ghana Armed Forces, staff from the HTU engineering department, and engineering students.
The gathering served as a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and brainstorming on how to harness the power of engineering for sustainable development in the region.
GNA