The Quantity Surveying Division of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) is advocating for the integration of value management into infrastructure procurement to enhance project delivery and ensure value for money.

This advocacy, according to the Division, will guarantee the involvement of all stakeholders, particularly government and professional surveyors, from the inception of public infrastructure projects through to completion, in order to prevent poor-quality work and promote maximum value for clients and the public.

The call was made at the ongoing 2025 Quantity Surveying Division Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Cape Coast in the Central Region.

The initiative has become even more critical as government prepares to roll out its flagship national infrastructure programme, “The Big Push,” valued at about US$10 billion.

This year’s conference is on the theme: “Integrating Value Engineering into Infrastructural Procurement.” Nearly 300 Quantity Surveyors are participating in the AGM.

The construction industry is central to Ghana’s socio-economic development, providing essential infrastructure for healthcare, education, housing, energy, and transportation.

However, recurring challenges, such as cost overruns, project delays, substandard construction, limited use of local materials, and inadequate focus on sustainability, continue to undermine progress.

These issues are largely attributed to procurement practices focused on the lowest initial cost rather than long-term value, alongside limited use of advanced cost-management tools.

President of GhIS, Surv. Kofi Obeng Ayirebi, stressed that value engineering is not merely about cutting costs but about optimising function, improving performance, and ensuring maximum returns for every cedi invested.

Chairman of the Quantity Surveying Division, Surv. Osei Agyemang-Badu, urged government to prioritise value expectations rather than short-term cost-saving during project initiation, especially for public infrastructure.

The Chairperson of the Continuous Professional Development Sub-Committee, Dr Naa Adjeley A. Doamekpor, also expressed concern over the frequent public complaints about the quality of completed infrastructure, an indication that citizens may not be getting true value for money.

She emphasised that the conference aims to explore solutions to guarantee high-quality and value-driven public infrastructure delivery across the country.