To regulate the practice of survey and mapping in the country, the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has stated that government needs to consider with urgency the establishment of a surveying and mapping authority.
In a communique issued at the end of the 2018 Annual Seminar of the Land Surveying Division of GhIS in Ho, copied to Goldstreet Business, the Institution noted the worrying activities of quack and non-professionals, which has resulted in wrong surveys and a lot of ownership disputes in the country.
GhIS also cautioned Land Surveyors to desist from fronting for quacks and non-professional surveyors which has resulted in disputes in land ownership. The conference advised the general public to do due diligence when engaging the services of professional Land Surveyors.
This year’s Annual Seminar was held under theme, “Land Surveying and Mapping: The Critical Foundation to National Infrastructural Development in Ghana”.
Passage of Bills
For an effective surveying and mapping to thrive, strong institutions and legislative framework is required, hence, the Institution further calls for an expedite action on the passage of the Survey Council and Land Bills, which are currently before Cabinet and the Parliament respectively in order to promote quality surveying and mapping professional services.
Infrastructural Development
As government has hinted of plans for massive infrastructural development next year, the Institution is requesting for more local content in the area of surveying and mapping in all the infrastructural development.
“In the era of Ghana Beyond aid, Government cannot continue to rely on external personnel to provide professional land surveying services for infrastructural development,” it stated.
Mapping of the country
GhIS observed that, there is the need for up-to-date large scale maps for regional, district and municipal capitals and commercial centres, since the last time the mapping of the whole country was undertaken, was in 1974.
This means that, for over 40 years, outdated maps are still being used for various projects in the country.
The Institution recognized the step taken by the government to map the entire country, stating that it is ready to partner government to use appropriate technology to provide up-to-date large scale maps and orthophoto maps for the country.
“This will help reduce drastically, the perceived high cost of survey services in Ghana and provide foundational data for infrastructural developments in the country,” it indicated.
By Joshua W. Amlanu