The Architects Registration Council (ARC) swore in 59 new Architects onto its Standing Register after they had successfully passed the Council’s Professional Practice Examination (PPE).

The 20th Induction Ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Ghana Shippers’ House, Ridge, Accra under the theme: Architecture in Ghana-Post Pandemic.

The Induction Ceremony bridges the academic and professional life of every architect.

It climaxes six years of academic qualification at the university, a minimum of two years of post-qualification coaching and internship under a qualified senior architect, structured seminars and tutorials and finally professional examination, with a minimum pass mark of 60% to gain state license to practice in Ghana.

This year, three ladies got the best performance awards in the professional examination.

Ms. Coretta Oduro Hanson was adjudged the Overall Best Candidate with Nana Ama Buabenma Kasanga and Afia Serwaa Boateng occupying the second and third positions respectively.

Chairperson for the occasion was renowned/accomplished Architect, Arc. Ernest Banning, Modula Group.

Welcoming the guests, the Chairman of the 3rd Governing Board of the ARC, Arc. Richard Nii Dadey underscored the importance of the Induction Ceremony which is the admission of qualified Architects into the membership of the Ghana Institute of Architects and then the admittance into the body of professional architects by the ARC per the Architects’ Act of 1969 (NLCD 357) to practice in Ghana.

Arc. Dadey congratulated the new Architects and implored them to reflect on this year’s theme of the unpredictability of the immediate future and its impact on our daily lives.

He charged architects to be flexible in their approach to resolving the unanticipated and unknown challenges.

He said, “This is certainly an arduous task and you need to equip yourselves... develop resilient strategies that will aid you to adapt to the inevitable changes that will surely arise.”

He seized the opportunity to announce that the ARC now has its Governing Board in place after five years of none-existence and thanked all stakeholders including the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea for the time and effort spent in making this a reality.

 He gave the assurance that the Board is on course to make sure the ARC exercises its core mandate of regulating the Architecture Profession in Ghana diligently.

” We have commenced our activities by setting up all the committees as required by law and the review of the Architects Act. We have commenced consultation with all stake-holders and will approach you shortly with our draft document.”

In a solidarity message, the President of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), Arc. Samuel M. Quartey urged the new architects to constantly upgrade themselves with continuous learning.

“We are in a fast-changing world, do not stay stagnant or you will be out of business”

He stated that the Institute will continue to organize Continuous Professional Development programs and advised the newly admitted architects to always take part.

Arc. Quartey challenged the new architects to venture into other areas of Architecture; Research, Project Financing, Architecture Journalism, Façade Designs, Project Management, Constructors and all other areas badly needing Architects participation.

The Principal Assistant Registrar of the ARC. Arc. Josephine Essie M. Kpesese,  who administered the ARC’s Architect’s Oath to the newly admitted architects reiterated that the inductees had satisfied all the requirements stipulated by Architects Act 1969 (NLCD 357) and its Bye-laws and as such were duly qualified to be conferred upon the title “Architect” to practice Architecture in Ghana.

She believed that the new Architects were charged to keep the touch of architects’ burning by exhibiting quality architecture.

In addition, she emphasised that the Council was poised to make greater strides in its endeavour to regulate the architecture profession in the country.

The Minister of Works and Housing (MWH), Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea who delivered the Keynote address said the induction ceremony of Architects was an important ceremony to the Ministry as Ghana stood to benefit from more Professional hands in Architecture.

He, therefore, urged the Ghana Institute of Architect, as an Association of Architects and the Architects Registration Council as a Government Regulatory body to work together closely by ironing out their areas of seemingly differences for National Development.

The Government he said will collaborate more with Architects in its programs such as the accelerated National housing program targeted at making houses affordable to the low-income earners and to reduce the huge housing deficit facing the country.

He highlighted the roles of Architects as very important in all sectors of the economy and promised to soon make a conscious effort to see that the District Assemblies have at least one Professional Architect to promote the Industry.

In his closing remarks, Chairperson for the occasion, Arc. Ernest Banning reiterated the importance of being a licensee and reminded the new Architects of the huge responsibility to society that lies ahead of them and urged them to continuously train themselves to be successful in their chosen field.