Mr. Ernest Banning, the Principal and Co-Founder of Modula Group, has called on the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), architectural schools and practitioners to reorient their roles toward national development.
He said stakeholders must also refocus their attention on industry relevance and integrity, indicating that the profession must evolve to meet Ghana’s pressing challenges.
Mr Banning made the call when he delivered the keynote address at the 2nd Annual Founder’s Day Lecture in Accra on the theme: “Timeless Foundations, Endless possibilities.”
He said the GIA should begin publishing competitions, including design submissions that
receive honorary mentions, to stimulate creativity, transparency and broader industry participation.
He said such publications would inspire young architects and provide a wider platform for showcasing innovation within the profession.
He urged the GIA to strengthen mentorship by inviting leaders of business and industry to support Continuous Professional Development programmes.
He explained that this would expose young architects to practical knowledge and guidance that aligned with real-world demands.
Mr. Banning said Schools of Architecture must “come out of their shell” and move closer to industry.
He noted that Universities should train students to match current global standards by integrating courses such as leadership and green-certification programmes like LEED and EDGE.
He advised the GIA to deepen collaboration with other disciplines and service providers, saying that the built environment thrived on coordinated teamwork rather than isolated practice.
On urban development, Mr. Banning said City Planning rested with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and Assemblies should empower their architects to enhance local capacity and improve city planning outcomes.
He said despite Ghana’s huge housing deficit, architects continued to focus on designing for the rich and famous, which must change.
He said the national housing deficit had remained unchanged for nearly a decade because architects had not directed enough energy toward providing solutions for the broader population.
Mr. Banning emphasised the need for practitioners to uphold honesty, integrity, patience and hard work as essential traits of the profession.
“Although many architects complain about systemic failures, they must also acknowledge their contribution to the problem, because we sometimes think we know more than our clients and fail to deliver what they want,” he added.
He called for humility, accountability and improved client engagement within the profession.
Mr Tony Asare, President of GIA, acknowledged the contributions of the pioneers of the profession as the Institute marked the second edition of its Founders Day celebration.
He said the occasion provided an opportunity for members to reflect on the triumphs, challenges and experiences that had shaped the Institute’s journey, while celebrating the role of architecture in influencing the landscape of Ghana.
He encouraged members to draw hope and knowledge from the experiences shared during the celebration and to remain committed to shaping the future of the country.