BYE-LAWS

In exercise of the powers conferred on the Architects Registration Council by Section 6 of the Architect’s Act,1969 (NLCD 357) these bye-laws are hereby made.

SECTION 1:

  • LOCATION OF COUNCIL
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • FUNCTION OF THE COUNCIL
  • OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL
  • FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICERS
  • REGISTRATION
  • NOTIFICATION

1. LOCATION OF COUNCIL

The location of the Council is at the premise of Ghana Institute of Architects at Architectural House, NO. 3, Ninth Road, Ridge, Accra.

POSTAL ADDRESS CONTACT ADDRESS

The Postal Address of the Council is:

Architect Registration Council,
3, Ninth Road, Ridge
P. O. Box MB 272, Ministries
Accra, Ghana.
GPS: GA-053-6589

 Tel.: (0302) 252 490
Mobile: 055 964 4318
Email: arcghana@gmail.com
info@arcghana.com

2. MEMBERSHIP

  1. One member nominated by the Ministry responsible for Works and Housing who shall be a registered Architect;
  2. Five members nominated by the Ghana Institute of Architects;
  3. One member nominated by the faculty of Architecture of University of Science and Technology;
  4. One member nominated by the Academy of Arts and Sciences;
  5. A legal advisor nominated by the Attorney-General; and
  6. The Registrar of the Council nominated by the Ghana Institute of Architect

3. FUNCTION OF THE COUNCIL

  1. The Council shall be concerned with the Architectural Profession and shall be charged with the responsibility of securing the highest practicable standard in the practice of Architecture in Ghana.
  2. The Council shall:
    1. One member nominated by the Ministry responsible for Works and Housing who shall be a registered Architect;
    2. Five members nominated by the Ghana Institute of Architects;
    3. One member nominated by the faculty of Architecture of University of Science and Technology;
    4. One member nominated by the Academy of Arts and Sciences;
    5. A legal advisor nominated by the Attorney-General; and
    6. The Registrar of the Council nominated by the Ghana Institute of Architect

4. OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL

  1. A chairman who is;
    1. a registered architect and
    2. elected by members of the Council;
  2. Registrar who is;
    1. nominated by Ghana Institute of Architects and
    2. a registered architect; and
  3. A treasure who is elected from among the Council.

5. FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICERS

  1. The Chairman shall;
    1. preside over every meeting of the Council but in the absence of the Chairman, a member of the Council elected by the members present from among their number shall preside; and
    2. exercise general supervision over the work of the Council.
  2. The Registrar shall;
    1. keep the registers of the Council;
    2. update and publish the registers as are due annually;
    3. provide certification as needed regarding and architect on the register of the Council;
    4. exercise general control and management of administration as well as authority over employees of the Council
  3. The Treasure shall;
    1. reside at the meetings of the Financial Committee but in the absence of the Treasure, a member among their number shall be elected to preside;
    2. exercise general supervision over the income and expenditure of the Council;

6. REGISTRATION

  1. An architect seeking registration shall;
    1. submit a complete registration form obtain from the secretariat of the Architects Registration Council to the Registrar
    2. provide evidence of membership of the Ghana Institute of Architect, and
    3. pay the prescribe registration fees.
  2. The onus for registration with the Architect’ Registration Council lies on the Architect.

7. NOTIFICATION

  1. A registered Architect who changes address shall notify the registrar.
  2. The Registrar, in January every year, shall publish in the gazette the;
    1. name
    2. address
    3. date of registration
    4. qualification

    of all registered architects.

BYE-LAWS

In exercise of the powers conferred on the Architects Registration Council by Section 6 of the Architect’s Act,1969 (NLCD 357) these bye-laws are hereby made.

SECTION 2:

  • CLASSES OF REGISTRATION
  • STANDING REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS
  • PROVISIONAL REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS
  • A TEMPORARY REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS
  • STANDING REGISTER FOR FIRMS
  • A TEMPORARY REGISTER OF FIRMS
  • PROHIBITION
  • RIGHT OF REGISTRATION
  • REMOVAL FROM THE REGISTER OF NAMES
  • REGISTRATION FEES

8. CLASSES OF REGISTRATION

  1. a standing register for registration of individual architects,
  2. a provisional register for registration of individual architects,
  3. a temporary register for registration of individual architects,
  4. a standing register for registration of firms, and
  5. a temporary register for registration of firms

9. STANDING REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS

  1. A person who;
    1. is duly qualified as an architect,
    2. intends to practice permanently in Ghana, and
    3. fulfills their requirements of the Act regarding registration,

    shall be registered on the standing register for individual architect.

  2. A person registered under sub bye-law (I) may;
    1. use the title chartered architect,
    2. act as an architect consultant, or
    3. submit plans planning and development approval.

10. PROVISIONAL REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS

  1. A person who has passed a course of study in architecture approved by the Council shall be registered on the Provisional Register for the registration of individual Architects.
  2. A person registered under sub bye-laws (I) may
    1. use the title Architect,
    2. work or practice as an architect, or
    3. submit plans for planning and development approved only under the name and
      signature of a Chartered Architect listed among Architect in good standing.
  3. A person shall not act as a Principal or an Architectural Consultant

11. A TEMPORARY REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS

  1. A person who;
    1. has passed a qualifying examination of any society or Institute of Architects approved by the Council, and
    2. who does not intend to practice permanently in Ghana,

    shall be registered on the temporary registration of individual architects.

12. STANDING REGISTER FOR FIRMS

  1. An architectural firm;
    1. that fulfils the requirements of the Act regarding registration, and
    2. has its Principal as a person who has a minimum of ten (10) years post-qualification experience as a Chartered Architect

    shall be registered on the standing register for Firms.

  2. Notwithstanding sub bye-laws (I) an architectural firm which has its Principal or one of its Principals as a person who has;
    1. passes in a qualifying examination of any society or Institute of Architects approved by the Council with a minimum of ten (10) years post qualification experience as an Architect,
    2. at least two (2) years post chartered practice,

    shall be registered on the standing register for Firms.

13. A TEMPORARY REGISTER OF FIRMS

A foreign registered architectural firm undertaking any specific local project in association with a fully registered local firm shall be registered on the Temporary Register for Firms.

14. PROHIBITION

  1. An architect whose name is on ‘Provisional’ or ‘Temporary’ Register shall not practice architecture in Ghana as a Principal of an architectural firm.
  2. An architect who contravenes the above sub bye-laws (1) commits an act of professional misconduct and is liable to disciplinary action to be determine by the Disciplinary Committee

15. RIGHT OF REGISTRATION

  1. shall practice as an Architect to the extend allowed under the Act and the Bye-laws, and
  2. with less than ten (10) years post- qualification experience as a ‘Chartered Architect’ may

practice as an individual or run a business which is not listed as a formal architectural practice.

16. REMOVAL FROM THE REGISTER OF NAMES

  1. The Registrar may recommend to the Council, the removal from the Register of Names the name of an Architect or firm who for a period of one (1) year or more has continuously failed to answer a written communication address to the Architect or firm.
  2. An Architect or firm whose name is removed from a register may have that Architect or firm’s name restored to the register if the Architect or firm;
    1. applied to the Registrar in writing to have the name restored,
    2. satisfies the requirement of the communication address to that architect or firm by the Registrar, and
    3. pays the prescribed fees

17. REGISTRATION FEES

  1. The Council may fix fees in respect of the following services:
    1. Registration on the various registers,
    2. Transfer of an architect’s name to another register
    3. Retention of name on register,
    4. Restoration of name in the register
    5. Alteration of name in the register,
    6. Issue of an extract from the register, and
    7. Issue of certificate of good standing.
  2. The Council may review the fees from time to time.
  3. The Registrar shall make the fees available at the Secretariat of the Council.

BYE-LAWS

In exercise of the powers conferred on the Architects Registration Council by Section 6 of the Architect’s Act,1969 (NLCD 357) these bye-laws are hereby made.

SECTION 3:

  • COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL
  • STANDING AND GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE
  • FINANCE COMMITTEE
  • INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE
  • OTHER PROFESSIONALS
  • MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE
  • FUNDS OF THE COUNCIL
  • AUDIT
  • INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • INTERPRETATION
  • COMMENCEMENT

18. COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL

  1. a Standing and General Purposes Committee,
  2. a Finance Committee,
  3. an Investigation Committee, and
  4. an Education Committee.

19. STANDING AND GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE

  1. The Standing and General Purpose Committee consist of;
    1. the Chairman of the Council who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee,
    2. the Registrar,
    3. the Treasure, and
    4. two other member of the Council.
  2. The Standing and General Purposes Committee shall;
    1. vet and recommend to the Council any application for registration;
    2. supervise the keeping of the register, the printing and publication of register in the Gazette in January each year;
    3. implement the decision of the Council and consist and act on any matter which the Council may refer to it.

20. FINANCE COMMITTEE

  1. The Finance Committee consist of;
    1. the Treasure who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee;
    2. the Registrar; and
    3. three other member of the Council
  2. The Finance Committee shall;
    1. advise the Council with respect to the appointment, remuneration and the terms and conditions of service of persons employed by the Council;
    2. examine the account submitted annually by the Treasure and report to the Council; and
    3. prepares an annual budget for the approval of the Council and for presentation to Ministry of Works and Housing.

21. INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

  1. Investigation Committee consist of;
    1. three nominees consist of the Ghana Institute of Architect one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Committee; and
    2. two other members of the Council.
  2. The Investigation Committee;
    1. shall investigate and decide on any allegation of professional misconduct made ageist any architect.
    2. after hearing the parties may submit its recommendations to the Council.
  3. The Council shall set up a Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the First Schedule of the Act to further investigate the allegation of professional misconduct.

22. EDUCATION COMMITTEE

  1. The Education Committee consist of;
    1. the member of the Council representing the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.
    2. the Registrar
    3. one member of the Council; and
    4. two nominees of the of the Ghana Institute of Architects.
  2. The Committee shall elect one its members as the Chairperson of the Committee.
  3. The Council shall:
    1. advise the Council on the aims and objectives of architectural education in Ghana;
    2. determine both primary and specialist qualifications to be recognized by the Council;
    3. advice the Council on the appointment of a moderator and examiners for examination; and
    4. ensure that courses of study and training in architecture, including continuing educational programmes,
      are such as can sufficiently graduate possession of the knowledge and skills needed for the efficient
      practice of architecture in Ghana.

23. OTHER PROFESSIONALS

An Architect shall not engage any person as a partner in an architectural firm unless that person qualifies as a professional and is registered under the law, which regulates the profession to which that person belongs.

24. MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE

A committee set up under these bye-laws shall determine and regulate the procedure for its meeting.

25. FUNDS OF THE COUNCIL

  1. government grants,
  2. fees charge by the Council, and
  3. gifts

25. AUDIT

  1. The annual accounts of the Council shall be audited by a chartered accountant appointed by the Council.
  2. The accounts for the preceding year as audited shall be approved by the members at the Annual General Meeting.

26. INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS

  1. A registered architect who seeks to inspect the Register of the Council shall give three (3) days written notice to the Registrar.
  2. A register under inspection shall not be remove from the premises of the Council.
  3. A register and the information derived from it shall be treated as confidential.

27. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Any person who seeks any information in respect of the Council and the registration of Architects may inquire from:

The Registrar
Architects Registration Council
P.O. Box MB 272, Ministries
Accra

28. INTERPRETATION

In these bye-laws unless the context otherwise require:
“Council” means the Architects Registration Council established by the Act;
“Act”means the Architect Act, 1969 (NLCD 357);
“Profession” means a profession other than that of an architect.

29. COMMENCEMENT

These byes came in to force on the 1st day of January 2001