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)

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

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

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

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

The Advocacy

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Activities of the Advocacy

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

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.

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