Ghana Institute of Architects to partner gov’t

The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) says it will partner government and other stakeholders to reduce the greenhouse gas emission in the country.

The GIA also says it would work together with the sustainability of the Built Environment in Ghana to highlight the essential role architecture and town planning play in the country.

A statement signed by Mr Foster Osae-Akonnor, Honorary Secretary, GIA, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday said with dedicated efforts and team work by all stakeholders, Ghana should by 2030 be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations.

It said as the world marked the World Architecture Day on Monday October 5, the GIA was particularly interested in Goal Number 11 of the SDG, which says “Make Cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

It said the GIA’s collaboration with government and other stakeholders would by 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

“We will also support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning,” it said.

The statement noted that, to show the way, the GIA in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts and other stakeholders had rolled out a three year strategic development project aimed at developing the Marine Drive Public Open Space at Osu, Accra into a world class recreational facility.

“It must be noted that the development of the Marine Drive Public Open Space together with the identification, planning and design of other Public Open Spaces in Accra and in other cities and towns of the country, will help in achieving one of the targets in Goal Number 11 of the SDG,” the statement said.

The GIA, however, encouraged citizens who were illegally practising architecture in Ghana, contrary to the Architects Act 1969 (NLCD357) to contact the Institute for regularization.

The World Architecture Day, which falls on October 5 every year, was instituted by the International Union of Architects to celebrate Architecture worldwide.

This year’s celebration is on the theme “Architecture, Building, Climate Commitments and Solutions”.