Ghana is going nowhere

by Kofi Ayim

Dr. Kwame Boakye, President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers has warned that Ghana is going nowhere without engineers and allied professionals, because no country develops without active participation of these groups. He said contemporary life cannot adequately sustain itself without science, engineering, and technology. Dr. Boakye gave this cautionary view at the Annual fundraising Dinner Dance of the Ghana Institute of Engineers and Architects of America (GEAAA), July 30 at Roselle, New Jersey. He pointed out that acute problems that Ghana face, such as the erratic power supply known in local and international parlance as dumsor, poor sanitation, perennial floods, low agricultural yields and many more could be resolved once and for all through engineering feats. “Almost 60 years after political independence, the dominant agricultural machinery in Ghana is still the hoe and the cutlass,” he pointed out. He therefore urged the government, and challenged GEAAA to step up to the plate and give prominence and value to the work of engineers and allied professionals in order to alleviate poverty and enhance the socio-economical development of Ghana. “Without engineering, there is no civilization,” he emphasized citing historical and contemporary engineering works the world over. Citing (South) Korea, Singapore, and other nations, Dr. Boakye who flew in from Ghana specifically for the event rhetorically asked. “What happened to us? Korea used to be our classmate in  the  1950s?” He opined that Ghana needs engineering evangelism to help lift it up its present economic doldrums. He reiterated and wholly supported an earlier suggestion by the President of GEAAA Mr. George Kor- ley’s collaborative efforts of GEAAA and the Ghana Institution of Engineers. He added that it’s only natural for the two bodies (and Ghanaian professional elsewhere) to engage  in  productive  mar- riage to contribute their quota to the development of Ghana. He pleaded with GEAAA and allied professionals to trans- form and harness their re- sources and expertise because “individual excellence does not necessarily  sum  up  to group excellence.”  He suggested it’s high time Ghanaian engineers got involved in the    political    process    in Ghana.    Enumerating    the background of the Chinese leadership, Dr.  Boakye remarked that with the focus and regimental discipline associated   with   engineering work, an engineer stands out among the lot as astute politi- cian with solutions and miti- gating approach to societal challenges. He therefore asked Ghanaian engineers to get  into  the  forefront  and limelight of the political dis- course.

 

In a welcome address, Mr. George Korley  challenged Ghanaians to mentor and lead the youth before they are misled by the system. He said GEAAA has now expanded its membership out  of  the New York Metro Area and plans   to   bring   on   board Ghanaian  engineers and ar- chitects  in  North America, and possibly in the United Kingdom. In a  brief  closing  remark, Ghana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to  the  U.N. Amb. Philbert Abaka John- son highlighted the fact that post-independence     Ghana was built with the skills of Ghanaian abroad. He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established an External Desk to attend to the needs of Ghanaians in the diaspora. Dr. Alex Boafo, a physician was singularly honored for his meritorious services to his Kwakwaduam Association and contributions to Ghana