Proliferation of buildings in waterways attributed to draughtsmen

Kumasi, October 29, GNA - A University Professor has attributed a greater part of the proliferation of buildings in waterways and public open spaces to activities of some recalcitrant draughtsmen. Professor S.O. Asiama, Provost of the College of Architecture and Planning of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) who made the attribution said such a practice does not augur well for the draughtsmanship career, and should cease. Professor Asiamah made the attribution at the inauguration of the Ashanti Region Branch of the Association of Draughtsmen in Kumasi on Saturday.

The nine-member executive of the Association, which was inaugurated, has Opanin Osei Tutu Boakye as its Chairman. Professor Asiama said to address the problem, it was incumbent on the leadership of the association to develop and enforce sanctions against those members who will aid their clients in destroying the beautiful environment.

He also expressed dismay about the fast rate kiosks were spreading, passing through as offices of draughtsmen on the main roads and street corners in the cities, stressing "even though man must live, we must be guided by principles and the training we have gained to do things right".

Professor Asiama said "let us begin to think of large offices of two or three, or even ten draughtsmen who will establish themselves in an office, to offer professional services to the general public and even Architects and other professional bodies within the building industry". He stressed the need for members of the association to re-educate themselves in the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in their work, saying "the days of drawing board and T-Square will painfully soon be behind us".

Professor Asiama used the occasion to announce that the College of Architecture and Planning of the KNUST would during the upcoming long vacation launch a programme of continuing education for draughtsmen and other skilled practitioners in the building and allied industry. He advised them to take advantage of the programme to broaden their skills and help them cope up with changing trends in the industry. Mr. S.O. Afram, Chairman of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), Northern Sector made it clear that the draughtsmen were not out to rival with Architects but rather complement each others work. To this end they should therefore learn to co-exist and work in close harmony at all times.

Mr. Paul Peter Adoninamah, Director of Centre for Distant Education of the KNUST who inaugurated the Association, called for members to forge a united front with the formation and inauguration of the Association.