Ghana Institution of Surveyors inducts Kofi Obeng-Ayirebi as President

A professional quantity surveyor, Kofi Obeng-Ayirebi, has been inducted as the 55th President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS).

He succeeds Dr Anthony Arko-Adjei, having won by popular acclamation.

His investiture took place in Accra last Saturday during a Presidential Ball as part of the activities that climaxed the 20th Surveyors Week and 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the GhIS.

Mr Obeng-Ayirebi holds an MSc in Construction Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing, Management, Quantity Surveying and Arbitration after graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Building Technology from KNUST in 1989.

He is also a chartered marketer, arbitrator, expert witness, value for money, project audit and forensic practitioner, project management and procurement practitioner in the built environment with many years of experience.

The event was on the theme, “Harnessing and protecting surveying competencies: a catalyst for national development and embracing emerging opportunities”.

Justice Adelaide Abui Keddey, a High Court judge led the new president to take his official oath.

Other council members were also sworn in at the event which featured various practitioners from all branches of the profession.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Obeng-Ayirebi pledged to position the institution as a beacon of thought leadership and innovation within the built environment.

He said to achieve this, his administration would elevate the GhIS brand by strengthening its influence in national policy and industry standards.

Closely linked to this is the advocacy for the passage of the Surveyors Council Bill to establish a regulatory framework for the practitioners.

He further emphasised the need for ethical leadership and accountability, stating "Our legacy is not merely measured by the structures we build, but by the integrity and commitment we bring to our nation’s development."

Mr Obeng-Ayirebi urged all members to unite, collaborate and contribute to the growth of the profession regardless of their divisions within the institution. 

Advise

The immediate past General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Alexander Kumi-Larbi, stressed the importance of professional ethics among practitioners in their line of work.

“Professional ethics in surveying, he said was a sacred responsibility that reflects kingdom values and principles, adding “Just as surveyors define land ownership, contribute to national development and provide data that influence policies and livelihoods, so must you uphold accuracy, truthfulness, impartiality and good practices as a testimony to your faith.

“A surveyor who is grounded in God's word responds to corruption with unflinching honesty. Let us advocate systems and regulations that promote transparency and fairness,” he said.

Farewell

In his farewell message, Dr Arko-Adjei expressed gratitude to the executive committee, governing council and past presidents for their tireless effort and dedication to seeing him complete a successful tenure.

“Your hard work and commitment have been a guiding force behind my success,” he said.

He further expressed his best wishes to the new president and leadership.