This, he said, was to ensure that the needed technical and professional skills required for the socio-economic development was firmly in place.

He said the successful implementation of the government's initiatives such as the 'One-District, One-Factory', 'One District, One Warehouse', the 'Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Industry' among others could only be anchored on the effective implementation of the TVET programme.

Addressing IET members during the 33rd Annual General Meeting held at the Kumasi Technical University on the theme: "TVET – The Industrial Backbone of the Economy", Mr Atta-Sonno pledged the continued commitment of the engineering institution in ensuring that the TVET programme is successful in achieving its mandate.

During the AGM plenary, the President, Mr Atta-Sonno on behalf of the Council, delivered a biennial report covering the last two years.

The report covered activities of the institution within the context of its strategic objectives, challenges faced and residual issues to be rolled into the next year.

In the keynote address delivered on his behalf, Mr Samuel Atta Kyea, the Minister of Works and Housing, appealed to the engineering practitioners to continue upholding the highest standards of their profession.

They should also play their part in ensuring that the developmental agenda of the government is achieved in the most effective and efficient manner.

He pledged government's support to ensure that the newly-constituted Engineering Council was fully supported in the execution of its mandate beginning with the passage of the Engineering Regulations by Parliament.

A key feature of the ceremony was the inauguration of the IET Women-in-Engineering, an umbrella body established to rally all the women within the institution together for their common good.

After their inauguration, the Chairperson of the IET WiE made an appeal to the institution to continue creating the required environment to make the institution attractive to many more engineering practitioners.

Elections were also conducted for the 2020-2021 Council as well as Executives of the Sector and Technical Divisions, who were subsequently sworn into office.

Present at the ceremony was the Akuafohene of the Golden Stool, Nana Kyei Baffour II who chaired the ceremony; Mr George Sam, the Human Resources Director who represented the Minister of Works and Housing; Engr. Prof. Mike Agbesi Acheampong, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University; Ms. Clara Nyakoaa Anim, Country Co-ordinator of the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Ghana Uniterra programme; among others.