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The Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana (LiSAG) held its 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the LiSAG Head Office in Labone-Accra last Wednesday.
The meeting, which brought together licensed surveyors from across the country, aimed to discuss key issues affecting the profession, review the association's activities over the past year and set new goals for the future.
The 6th AGM also included a seminar session on the theme: “Leveraging Base Maps for Urban Transformation and Economic Growth: The Licensed Surveyors’ Role”.
In his welcome address, the President of LiSAG, Samuel Larbi Darko, emphasised the importance of licensed surveyors, saying they play a vital role in shaping the built environment and ensuring that development is sustainable.
“Our work has a direct impact on communities, economies and the environment. It is a privilege to be part of this noble profession and I am proud to lead our association,” he said.
Mr Darko indicated that the AGM was a critical event that allowed surveyors to reflect on their progress, address their challenges and chart a new course for the future, as well as providing a platform for members to share their experiences, challenges and successes.
He also touted the achievement of LiSAG over the years; stating that “there has been a Constitutional Review of the LiSAG Constitution and Bye Laws.
The President of LiSAG added that the Association has established valuable partnerships with reputable Chinese Surveying Manufacturers on the leasing and hiring purchase of GNSS instruments of its members and has also grown in membership by 18 per cent. Thus, from 185 to 219.
The special guest of honour, Okpleme Nuer Annorbaa Sasraku II, the Paramount Chief of thr Yilo Krobo Traditional area, emphasised the crucial role traditional authorities play in land matters, stressing that they are the "alluding owners of all the lands in Ghana."
He argued that involving traditional authorities in land initiatives is essential for the success of surveyors, particularly when it comes to sustainability, adding that traditional rulers will not support initiatives that they are not part of and that their involvement is crucial for the success of any project.
Sasraku II called on LiSAG to take a critical look at corrupt surveyors who use unorthodox methods to measure land, as it undermines the credibility of the association and hinders its efforts to promote sustainable land use.
He expressed gratitude to LiSAG for its efforts in promoting base mapping, a crucial tool for sustainable development. He pledged his support for the initiative, emphasising that traditional authorities are willing to partner with LiSAG to ensure the success of the project.
The Minister of Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr Kwadwo Yeboah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA), indicated that the country’s rapid urbanisation, with a growth rate of 4.2 per cent per annum, presents both challenges and opportunities.
He stressed that licensed surveyors are key to ensuring sustainable urban development, through their expertise in land boundary demarcation, cadastral mapping and environmental assessment.
The well-developed base map system, the Minister argued, fosters economic prosperity by enhancing project planning efficiency, attracting investments, improving revenue generation and promoting tourism.
However, he acknowledged that leveraging base maps for urban transformation comes with challenges, including outdated data, limited access to technology and inadequate collaboration.
To overcome these challenges, Mr Ibrahim emphasised the need for policies that prioritise spatial data infrastructure and encourage investment in modern mapping technologies.
He encouraged licensed surveyors to lead the digital shift, driving urban and economic development through innovation and collaboration.
