61 new architects acquire practicing licences

The Architects Registration Council (ARC) has inducted 61 new architects, awarding them state licenses to practice in Ghana following their success in the Professional Practice Examination (PPE).

The induction, a crucial milestone in reinforcing national architectural standards, took place at the Ghana Shippers Authority in Accra under the theme, “Enhancing Architecture Compliance and Enforcement: Call for Collaboration.”

The event marked the transition from academia to professional life for the inductees, celebrating the end of a rigorous path involving six years of university education, a minimum two-year internship with a certified principal architect, structured seminars, tutorials, and finally, a professional exam to secure the state license.

This vibrant ceremony gathered esteemed board members, former presidents, principal architects, and representatives from related professions, as well as academic leaders, as the ARC and the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) jointly swore in the new architects through their registrar and president.

Dr. Emmanuel Eyiah-Botwe, the ARC’s Registrar, warmly welcomed attendees and underscored ARC’s commitment to maintaining high architectural standards as a foundation for Ghana’s sustainable and appealing built environment.

Describing the ceremony as a reaffirmation of ARC’s mission for excellence, he shared updates about the council’s expanded headquarters, a new vehicle, and the establishment of an enforcement unit to bolster compliance efforts.

Dr. Eyiah-Botwe encouraged the inductees to embrace their responsibilities fully, reminding them that they are now part of a prestigious profession that shapes both the nation’s skyline and its quality of life.

ARC Governing Board Chairman, Arc. Richard Nii Dadey, echoed the call for collaboration to promote compliance, urging the architectural community to voluntarily support safe and accessible design for all.

GIA President Arc. Foster Osae Akonnor raised concerns about the limited presence of architects in Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), urging new architects to lend their skills to these local bodies to help advance Ghana’s development.

Delivering the keynote address, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, Head of the Local Government Service, highlighted that adherence to professional standards safeguards public welfare and supports high-quality communities. He called on inductees to take shared responsibility for compliance and strive for excellence in their work.

Arc. Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, MP for Awutu Senya West and event chair, emphasized the importance of compliance and urged the new architects to address local challenges such as illegal mining and advocate for sustainability in the built environment. She also encouraged artisans to seek proper licensing for a regulated and compliant sector.

The event honored Nana Ayensua Amonoo, the top-performing candidate, who in her valedictory speech urged her peers to embrace curiosity and professionalism, highlighting their shared role in advancing Ghana’s infrastructure. “Let’s work together to build structures that will stand the test of time for future generations,” she said.

Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, Chief Director at the Ministry of Works and Housing and representative of Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, emphasized the architects’ role in ensuring safety and sustainability amid urbanization, sharing government plans to support compliance through a Works Inspectorate Directorate Unit.

“As new architects, you’re tasked with more than just designing buildings; you’re shaping communities and impacting lives,” he concluded.