Address delivered by Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, at the inauguration of the constituted board of directors, Architects Registration Council (ARC).

MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

Good morning.

It is with great confidence and high expectations that I inaugurate this significant body today. Your selection to this Board indicates your distinction and our collective trust in your ability to lead the effort in enhancing architectural practice and standards in our nation.

Mr. Chairman and Board Members,

Our mandate as a ministry extends beyond just buildings; it encompasses ensuring the safety, sustainability, and visual appeal of our constructed environment. Ghana’s rapid urbanization presents both great opportunities and serious challenges. In this context, your role becomes not just important but essential.

You are assuming a role defined by a clear and vital mandate. The Architects Registration Council, established by the Architects Act 1969 (NLCD 357), primarily exists to ensure the highest achievable standards in the practice of architecture and to safeguard the public. Your main goal, as outlined in law, is to facilitate and oversee the practice of architecture in this country. This core purpose, along with ARC’s vision to be a world-class regulator for professionalism and its mission to promote sustainable built environments, supports everything you do.

Your essential functions, as outlined in the Act, include prescribing and approving courses of study, maintaining the register of architects, upholding professional conduct and ethics, and regulating the practice of architecture. These are more than just administrative duties; they form the foundation on which the safety, functionality, and visual appeal of our built environment depend.

Ghana’s rapid urbanization presents both significant opportunities and serious challenges. In this context, your role becomes not just important, but truly vital.

I charge this Board, above all, with the steadfast enforcement of our National Building Code and all relevant architectural standards. The recent tragic incidents of building collapses, ongoing flooding, and reckless development that tarnish our urban landscapes serve as stark reminders of the serious consequences that occur when standards are ignored or intentionally bypassed.

We must, together, eliminate the culture of impunity that allows the construction of unsafe and substandard structures. This Board must ensure that every design submitted, every material used, and every construction process undertaken complies with the highest professional and ethical standards.

Furthermore, this Board must promote innovation and the adoption of sustainable architectural principles. Our buildings must not only be safe and functional but also environmentally responsible and resilient to the effects of climate change. I expect you to lead efforts to encourage green building practices, efficient resource use, and the careful integration of locally sourced materials where appropriate.

You must also commit to promoting ongoing professional growth and ethical behavior within the architectural field. The integrity of our built environment starts with the integrity of its practitioners. This Board is responsible for ensuring that architects practicing in Ghana are not only technically skilled but also maintain the highest ethical standards, promoting accountability and transparency in all their actions.

I strongly encourage this Board to collaborate closely with all pertinent stakeholders, including local government authorities, the Ghana Standards Authority, engineering organizations, urban planning agencies, and the public. The success of enforcement efforts is inherently linked to raising public awareness. It is essential to streamline procedures where necessary, educate the public on the significance of engaging qualified professionals, and enhance inter-agency cooperation to mitigate regulatory gaps.

Regarding an urgent matter, I need to address the recent tension affecting the relationship between the Architects Registration Council (ARC) and the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA). My Ministry has received various correspondences, including a significant petition from a group of “Concerned Fellows” within the GIA, indicating discord within the architects’ community. Follow-up discussions with both the GIA Council and the Concerned Fellows have revealed that internal divisions still exist, hindering the profession’s collective progress. It is also understood that some of the main causes of this discord are linked to the Architects Act 1969 (NLCD 357), which established the Council.

Indeed, a thorough review of this foundational Act has been long overdue and is a top priority for my Ministry. This review seeks to address several key areas where the current legislation has ambiguities or issues. For example:

• We need to reassess the makeup of the Governing Board to guarantee diverse representation and prevent any perceived imbalances that could affect objective decision-making, as emphasized in previous discussions, especially regarding the Professional Practice
• The Act’s provisions concerning qualifications for Council registration and the connection between regulatory recognition and membership in professional associations need thorough review, ensuring they align with constitutional principles of freedom of association while safeguarding professional standards.
• There is a clear need to define the Council’s responsibilities concerning architectural technologists and draughtsmen. The original purpose of the Act, to regulate the practice of architecture beyond just architects, must be clarified to allow for comprehensive oversight of all related issues and to include all essential practitioners within the regulatory framework.
• The process for issuing stamps and digital authorizations for permit approvals also needs to be streamlined and clearly defined. The Council, as the primary regulator responsible for determining an architect’s good standing, should logically be the sole agency responsible for issuing such evidence, thus removing any redundancies or inefficiencies in the permitting
• Finally, the Act must specify the organization and governance of Architectural Design Competitions (ADCs). The current ambiguities have led to past disputes, and clarity is crucial to promote fair and effective competition within the profession.

For these important reasons, the Ministry is currently reviewing this fundamental Act. We will rely on the exceptional leadership and steady support of this new Board to guide and significantly aid the legislative reform. I assign the newly formed Board, ARC, and GIA to resolve these internal conflicts quickly and decisively. Your effectiveness in maintaining architectural standards for the country depends on a harmonious and unified approach. This Board must foster an environment of mutual respect, open communication, and collaboration among all entities representing the architectural profession.

The collective strength of Ghanaian architects is vital, and internal divisions only weaken our resolve and capacity to fulfill our national duties. I trust you to play a key role in fostering a renewed spirit of cooperation, ensuring that any disagreements are resolved professionally and constructively, while always working to advance the architectural profession and protect the public interest.

Regarding performance, I want to highlight an important directive from the Public Services Commission, as outlined in our Corporate Governance Manual for Public Services. The Board is explicitly responsible for signing an Annual Performance Contract with your Chief Executive Officer (the Registrar). This process is more than just a formality; it acts as a crucial mechanism to ensure accountability, transparency, and results.

This contract must specify Key Performance Indicators and measurable targets for the ARC, ensuring that the CEO’s efforts are directly aligned with our shared vision of a world-class regulatory body. It should also outline clear rewards for excellence and appropriate sanctions for underperformance.

Your diligent oversight in this area is essential. It guarantees that the ARC operates with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, delivering tangible results for the Ghanaian public and setting a standard for professionalism. I expect this critical performance management system to be fully implemented without delay.

Nevertheless, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Board, as you commence this significant endeavour, I wish to offer a word of caution and guidance. While your responsibilities are strategic and centered on oversight, the Board must refrain from engaging in the daily administrative tasks of the Council. Your primary duties should encompass policy formulation, strategic planning, and the oversight of the effective implementation of the regulatory framework. The Chief Executive and administrative personnel are responsible for daily operations, and it is crucial to preserve a clear distinction between governance and management to uphold efficiency and accountability.

Furthermore, the Board must operate within the established legal and policy frameworks. For major policy changes, significant regulatory updates, or decisions that have widespread effects on the engineering sector or national development, I recommend that the Board seek prior approval and consultation from the sector minister. This collaborative approach ensures alignment with overall government policies and supports a unified national growth strategy.

Mr. Chairman and Board Members,

The task ahead is challenging, but I trust that with your combined expertise, dedication, and resolve—guided by ARC’s core values of professionalism, integrity, customer focus, transparency, equity, and innovation—you will lead architectural practice in Ghana toward a future defined by excellence, safety, and sustainability. Your success will directly help build a stronger, more beautiful, and more livable Ghana for all our citizens.

Move forward and build a legacy marked by integrity and outstanding achievement. May God bless your efforts, and may He bless our homeland, Ghana. Thank you.