Surveyors urged to embrace technology

President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Dr Anthony Arko-Adjei,  says technological advancement, which is changing the dynamics in the construction and built environment, makes it imperative for professionals to broaden their horizon in order to remain viable and relevant.

He said their role in facilitating development could not be overstated, and, therefore, all untapped  potential must be harnessed to give them such impetus.

Dr Arko Adjei was speaking at the end of ICEC-AAQS conference in Accra last Wednesday.

The ICEC-AAQS 2024 Conference is a global conference of the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) in conjunction with the Association of African Quantity surveyors (AAQS), which was hosted by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIE).

The objectives of the conference included encouraging the conduct of regional and worldwide congress, to promote cooperative research and technical activities among member societies, promote development of standards for accreditation, and recognition of cost engineering, quality surveying, among others.

It brought together about 300 members of the associations from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific among others. 

Hosting rights

Since 2017, Ghana had been preparing to host the 2020 edition of the biennial event, but the outbreak of COVID-19 meant the conference had to be postponed.

The country, however, obtained a renewed mandate to host it in 2024.

In his closing remarks, the President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Dr Anthony Arko-Adjei, said the conference provided a platform to share ideas and expertise on emerging trends.

He challenged the gathering to harnesss the power of digital technology to ensure sustained progress.

A representative of the International Cost Engineering Council, Dr Peter Smith, commended the Ghana Institution of Surveyors and other partners for hosting the biennial event.

He advised the professionals to be innovative in providing services to clients.

The Chairman of the local planning committee of the Quantity Surveying Division, Michael Frimpong, urged the participants to continue to hold on to the ethics of the profession and its values.

He also advised the members to embrace technology to enhance the surveying profession.

Some of the participants expressed delight about the outcome of the conference.

Sao Paulo in Brazil will host the next conference slated for 2026.