1. Ghana Institution of Engineers
Advocacy for a Legislative Instrument
to Enhance the Effective Implementation of
the Engineering Council Act, 2011 (Act 819) By
Ing. Dr. Kwame A. Boakye (February, 2018)

2. Agenda Introductions Purpose of Meeting The Advocacy Discussion
Where We Have Come From
Where We Want to Go
Some Thoughts on a Proposed LI
Discussion
Next Steps

3. Introductions GhIE Application to BUSAC Fund to Support Advocacy
Formation of an Implementation Team
Team Member
Designation/Role
Ing. Dr. Kwame Boakye
Chairman
Ing. Wise Ametepey
Registrar, ECGh
Ing. Ebenezer Haizel
Legal Consultant
Ing. Michael Dedey
Member
Ing Ludwig Hesse
Ing. Joe Odei
Ing. K.D. Laryea

4. Conclusion/Next Steps
The Advocacy
Background
What We Would Like to See
Results from Previous Advocacy
Challenge to be Addressed and Proposed Solution
Target of Advocacy and Expected Final Results
How We Are Going About It
Planned Activities
Implementation Plan
4. Thoughts on Proposed Draft LI
Conclusion/Next Steps

5. Sensitization of the Engineering Community to the Need for the LI
Purpose of Meeting
Sensitization of the Engineering Community to the Need for the LI
2 Locations: Takoradi and Accra
First Step in the Activities
Solicit Input and Feedback

6. The Advocacy

7. Background
GHIE, with support of BUSAC Fund and collaboration of other entities, successfully advocated the enactment of the Engineering Council Act, 2011 (Act 819).
Act established a Council, the Engineering Council of Ghana (ECGh), with a 9 governing Board
Objective "to secure the highest professional standards in the practice of Engineering" in Ghana

8. Functions of ECGh regulate the practice of engineering;
determine and prescribe requirements for initial and continuing registration;
maintain and publish annually, registers for engineering practitioners in the country;
determine the limits to areas of engineering practice and operation;
monitor, evaluate and take corrective actions on the performance of engineering practitioners, firms and units;
collaborate with the National Accreditation Board and other bodies to certify programs of education relevant for engineering practice;
licence relevant and appropriate engineering professional bodies to certify individuals and corporate bodies for initial and continuing registration;
prescribe, uphold and enforce professional engineering standards, conduct and ethics of engineering practitioners;
exercise disciplinary power over engineering practitioners in respect of the practice of their profession and works related to the practice of engineering;
advise the Minister on engineering matters; and
perform any other functions that are ancillary to the object of the Council.

9. Why an LI 1/2
Council expected to put in place policies and procedures to achieve Objective
Since passage of Act, law has not been fully implemented due to absence of an LI to back the implementation of the Act.
The existence of such an LI will provide additional legal basis for the performance of Council’s functions, thus, making the work of the Council more effective.

10. Why an LI 2/2 Outcome of previous advocacy action was passage of Act.
Following passage of Act,
Nine-member Governing Board of Council inaugurated in April 2015
Other Working Committees were set up.
Act has not seen full implementation due to absence of LI.
Council does not have requisite power to levy engineering practitioners.
Regulations necessary for monitoring and control of engineering practice in Ghana not in existence.
Such regulations needed to enforce compliance of engineering standards.
GhIE proposes drafting and passage of LI to guide full implementation of Act.
Will include giving legal backing to Council’s authority to levy engineers and other engineering practitioners
Be able to institutionalise and enforce regulations in the practice of engineering.
Targets for the advocacy action:
Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department
Parliament
Ministry of Works and Housing
Engineering Council

11. Expected Outcome of Advocacy
Development, by the Minister, of an LI to make Regulations, as provided in section 45 of the Act:
To prescribe details of Registers to be kept;
To provide for the discipline of registered engineering practitioners, engineering companies and firms;
To prescribe matters relating to professional standards;
Relating to approval of Engineering Documents and Works;
To prescribe the fees to be paid under this Act;
To prescribe conditions for the issuance of a valid certificate by the Board; and
To provide generally for any other matter necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

12. Activities of the Advocacy

13. Activities of the Advocacy 1/2
Activity #1: Sensitization
Meetings will be held to brief Engineering Council and engineering community on need for LI and to solicit initial inputs and views to aid drafting of LI
Activity #2: Research
Drafting of LI by Committee. Committee will draft regulations for LI.
Activity #3: Stakeholder Workshop
A wider stakeholder workshop involving all relevant bodies will be organised with aim of soliciting views and inputs. At least three stakeholder meetings will be organised:
Northern sector stakeholder meeting
Middle belt stakeholder meeting
Southern sector stakeholder meeting
Working committees may be formed to discuss issues into detail and present recommendations. Drafting committee will fine-tune draft LI for submission to all appropriate authorities

14. Activities of the Advocacy 2/2
Activity #4: Dialogue
Series of dialogue sessions will be held with the appropriate authorities to present Proposed Draft LI and deliberate on the regulations in LI.
Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Department
Ministry of Works and Housing and
Engineering Council
Activity #5: Follow-up
There will be follow up activities with the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Department, the Minister of the Works and Housing and Parliament. The aim of this activity is to ensure that the draft LI is finalised by the sector Ministry (that is, Ministry of Works and Housing) for signing into operation and that Parliament is receptive to the LI.

15. Implementation Plan Planned Activity Period (Month) 1 2 3 4 5 6
Sensitization
Research
Stakeholder Meetings
Dialogue Sessions
Follow up Activities