Engineers Hold Celebration

The Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) has celebrated the 2009 Engineering Week, focusing on the theme: “Engineering, The Oil and Gas Industry”. Which is crucial to Ghana's socio-economic growth and development.

The highlight of the celebration was the induction of the new president, Mr Andrew T. Barfour and the official introduction of 135 engineers as corporate and associate members of the Institution.

They took the pledge to uphold the honour and dignity of the engineering profession.

Addressing the Annual General Conference, Dr Joseph Oteng-Adjei, Minister of Energy, noted that the oil discovery posed tremendous challenges and opportunities to the indigenous engineers and urged them to sharpen their skills to be able to face the challenges.

The outgoing president, Sir Frederick W. Akwaboah, said that oil and gas were vital natural resources for the country, and pledged members commitment and support for the full exploitation and utilisation of those resources to the benefit of the economy and people.

Members also went on an industrial tour of some engineering installations, including the Tema oil refinery and Lube Plant where they were briefed on the operations and interacted with their counterparts on pertinent engineering issues.

The celebration was rounded off with the Presidential Inauguration and Gala Banquet in honour of Vice President John Damani Mahama.

He acknowledged the immense role that engineers had played in the economy over the years, and assured them of the government's assistance to build their capacity and expertise to meet the challenges ahead.