Institute of Architects decry President’s ‘bypass’ of nominations for board appointments

Some members of the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) are upset. They learned that the Council will not consider their nominations for the Architects Registration Council board.

These frustrations were expressed at a meeting on March 27, 2025. Members were informed by Honorary Secretary Daniel Kwadjo Teye. He said President Tony Asare selected his own appointees without following the democratic process.

According to Section 3.1(b) of the Architects Act, NLCD 357, the Institute must nominate five members for the Governing Council. However, President Asare's appointees include himself and three others: Honorary Secretary Samuel M. Quartey, Kofi Essel-Appiah, and Chezrie Nyarko Takyi Degraft.

Mr. Essel-Appiah is a Brazil-trained architect and was on the previous board. He has been reappointed for another term. Mr. Degraft served as the Institute’s Electoral Commissioner during recent elections and is also an appointee.

Samuel M. Quartey, a past president of the Institute, has also been named to the board.

Weeks before this announcement, members were invited to submit nominations for these positions. They believed their input would help shape leadership in their profession. However, many feel betrayed by the President's decision to ignore this process.

"This is a betrayal of trust," said one concerned member. "We participated in good faith only to find our nominations ignored."

Additionally, some architects questioned why no female candidates were considered among those appointed.

In response to growing discontent, members are demanding transparency in appointments. Some want an urgent review of this decision while others challenge the legitimacy of the new board. The Executive Council has not yet addressed these concerns or justified their actions.

As tensions rise, GIA leadership faces pressure to explain this sudden change and address member concerns.

It remains uncertain if President Asare will reconsider his decision. Many members are determined not to stay silent on this issue.

A petition has been submitted to the Council citing procedural irregularities in selecting nominees for Registrar and Board Members of the Architects Registration Council.

The petitioner highlights issues like lack of voting and absence of formal communication explaining deviations from established procedures.