News in 2018
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Working Week 2021 in Accra Ghana - preparation visit
24-27 October 2018, Accra, Ghana
The organising committee
FIG Vice President Diane Dumashie and Director Louise Friis-Hansen
visited Accra, Ghana to prepare for the Working Week that will take
place in Accra, Ghana in 2021. The local organising committee had done a
great job to prepare for this meeting. The meeting was held at the
Marriott hotel in Accra, and at the meeting there were representatives
from both member associations, GhiS and LISEC. Hereto the Quantity
Surveyors and cost engineers, Ghana Lands Commission, the Young
Surveyors, ministry representative from the Ministry of Lands and
Natural Resources, and the
industry were represented.
Further to this the Working Week is endorsed by the Ministry of
Tourism. Already now there has also been contact with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. A new International airport terminal has just opened
in Accra and the ministry is working on the possibilities for e-Visas.
The diversity of the Local Organising Committee is an advantage and
will secure that the Working Week programme will be broad and include
many interesting areas. There were longer and fruitful talks about the
legacy of the Working Week - both for Ghana and the Ghanaian surveyors, and for the
International participants.
The local organising committe has been formed and the roles are now
being distributed among the members.
Apart from the content of the Working Week it was also discussed at
what venue the conference will take place, and the participants of the
meeting was at a site visit to several potential sites. There was no
decision on this, as this demands a further assessment study.
The dates for the Working Week were decided: Monday 24 - Friday 28
May 2021.
It was great to also see the Young Surveyors represented at the Local
Organising Committee as it is important to get students and young
professionals engaged.
The overall theme of the Working Week was discussed, and there will
be futher discussions on this in order to be sure that the right themes
will be included.
On day two of the meeting there was a visit to the Mayor of Accra, Hon.
Adjei Sowah M. There was a good discussion on the development of Accra
and how the orgahising committee and the city can work together on the
Working Week. It was very interesting to hear about the development of
the city of Accra and Mayor Hon. Adjei Sowah pointed out that he would
be looking forward to a strengthened relationship with surveyors,
architechts and other groups and that their voices will be heard. This
more organised approach will be beneficial for Accra, and the mayor is
working on a masterplan, among other things inspired by the development
that has taken place in Singapore.
Logo
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There was also time to see parts of the beautiful and
exciting city of Accra. Among other things there was a visit to
the Independence Square which contains monuments to Ghana's
independence struggle, including the Independence Arch, Black
Star Gate, and the Liberation Day Monument. These symbols are
used in the logo for the Working Week 2021. The logo also
contains the typical colours of Ghana - Red, Green and Golden.
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After the official meeting, Louise had a very interesting trip outside
of Accra together with two Young Surveyors, Paa Kwesi Akuffo Ensaw and
Priscilla Djaba. The trip went first to the Kakum National Park, which
was a magnificient experience. Here it is possible to take a round-trip
hike learning about the area and the different species, or to do the The
Kakum Canopy Walk which is absolutely breathtaking as it connects seven
tree tops. Hereafter the trip went to Elmina Castle, which is one of the
castles along the coast that has in former times been used for shipment
of goods and slavery.
Thanks to all who participated during these three very well organised
days, and especially thanks to Kwame Tenadu and Stephen Djaba for their
competent organisation of the visit.
At the meeting there was a brainstorm session on the
organisation of a conference |
Each participant gives his/her input to the brainstorm
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The local organisers together with FIG Vice President Diane
Dumashie and Director Louise Friis-Hansen |
The Surveyor General from Lands Commission also paid a visit to
the meeting showing his kind engagement in the Working Week and
pointing out some of the areas that are important for the Lands
Commission of Ghana
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There was a lot of activity, laughther and good inspiration
during the two meeting days |
The view from Elmrna Castle |
Elmina Castle |
Outside the castle |
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Louise Friis-Hansen
December 2018
