The President addresssing the gathering
As part of efforts to ensure sanity in their profession, the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has declared its intentions to crack the whip on all unregistered surveyors.
Addressing surveyors at the GhIS Secretariat located at Okponglo, near Dzorwulu, Accra lately, the Chairman of GhIS, Land Surveying Division, John Amaglo indicated that the GhIS can no longer look on for their hard earned reputation to be destroyed by the quacks.
“Eliminating non-professionals in surveying activities requires strict supervision at all levels and it is for this reason and more that we urge government to resource the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission to discharge on its mandate of supervising surveying activities in the country,” he stated.
The Chairman who also spoke on a number of issues urged government to involve land surveyors in major decision making processes especially on environment and infrastructural development and management.
“Land Surveyors recognize government’s efforts to clamp down the galamsey menace in Ghana, however, we believe that there should be a nexus between industries and practice, government and professional Land Surveyors in the fight against galamsey to ensure sustainability” he stated.
Mr. Amaglo assured that Land Surveyors will collaborate with government to provide the appropriate technology that will help local communities reclaim the lands destroyed by galamsey.
Speaking on cost of rendering survey services, he debunked claims that the prevailing cost of purchasing technical equipment far and large determines the charge, stressing that their charges are very moderate.
He lauded government for the recent reduction in taxes on some imported goods and urged the government to invest in the use of modern technology in the production of maps.
In a later development, the GhIS observed also its founders’ day at the Secretariat. Addressing the surveyors, Lawyer Sam Okudzeto, a Council of State Member, lauded them for instituting the Founders’ Day.
“These are people who in the past have championed a course which today has brought you to the limelight, it’s only fair that you appreciate them in a way that will eulogize them,” he stated.
The event was under the theme ‘The three Vignettes of Surveyor’
By Solomon Ofori