Civil Division engineering practitioners urged to subscribe to oath

The members of the Civil Division of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) have been urged to adhere to the Engineering Practitioner’s Oath of upholding honesty, fairness, and truthfulness in their duties. This oath is not merely a ceremonial formality but a foundational principle that guides their professional conduct, according to Professor Kwaku Amaning Adjei, Dean of the Civil and Geo-Engineering College of Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

During the 2026 Civil Technical Division Mini conference held in Accra, Prof. Adjei emphasized that the Ghana Institution of Engineering's Constitution, in Article 8.2, mandates every member and registered entity to maintain the highest ethical standards. He highlighted that the Code of Ethics derives its foundations from honesty, justice, and integrity, which are crucial for ensuring the safety of human life, the environment, and property.

Prof. Adjei urged civil division practitioners to have the courage to refuse projects that involve omitting necessary investigations, reducing specifications without technical justification, proceeding without approved drawings, or ignoring safety concerns. He stressed that engineers must sign, certify, approve, or endorse only work they have adequately reviewed, inspected, or supervised, as their signature carries significant responsibility.

He noted that Ghana has faced the consequences of compromised integrity, including structural failures, infrastructure deterioration, loss of lives, destruction of property, disruption of livelihoods, and declining public confidence in the built environment. Prof. Adjei called for stronger systems of professional accountability, supervision, and enforcement of standards, emphasizing that regulations are only effective when implemented and enforced.

To protect the public, civil division practitioners must collaborate to educate the public about the importance of engineering services beyond being an additional cost. Prof. Adjei advised that engineers should continuously update their knowledge, reflect on their experiences, and adapt to emerging challenges.

Mr. Michael Obeng Konadu, Chairman of the Civil Division of the GhIE, stated that recent observations led to the organization of the conference to remind members of the importance of integrity and professional ethics. Mr. Ludwig Annang Hesse, the President of the Institution of Engineering, echoed Prof. Adjei's sentiments, emphasizing that integrity is central to the engineering profession, as outlined in the code of ethics, oath, and constitution.