Quantity surveyors in Ghana have been called upon to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity and accountability in public infrastructure development. This appeal was made by Surv. Nana Nuamah Kyei-Bafour, Chairperson of the Quantity Surveying Division of Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), at the division's 2026 Annual General Meeting in Tamale. The meeting brought together industry professionals, traditional authorities, government representatives, and political leaders to discuss the future of quantity surveying.
The conference, held under the theme "The Value for Money Office Act, 2026: Positioning Quantity Surveyors as Strategic Partners in Delivering Accountable, Transparent and Value-Driven Public Infrastructure," aimed to position quantity surveyors as key players in delivering value-driven public infrastructure. Surv. Kyei-Bafour emphasized that Ghana's rapid urbanization and expanding infrastructure needs make the conference theme particularly relevant. He stressed that the country's infrastructure agenda must go beyond project costs to examine whether public investments achieve their intended objectives.
Surv. Kyei-Bafour urged quantity surveyors to assume a more strategic role in public infrastructure delivery by applying their expertise in cost management, procurement, risk assessment, and commercial management from the planning stages of projects through to completion. He noted that with every cedi of public resources counting towards national development, quantity surveyors have a responsibility to ensure that funds are used efficiently, transparently, and in the public interest.
President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Surv. Emmanuel Kofi Cobbold, highlighted the significance of the Value for Money Office Act, 2026, describing it as an opportunity for quantity surveyors to demonstrate their expertise. He said the establishment of the office would create opportunities for the profession to contribute more meaningfully to public-sector project evaluation, cost control, and accountability.
Surv. Cobbold noted that the Value for Money Office is expected to begin operations in January 2027, following the Act's presidential assent earlier in 2026. He urged quantity surveyors to intervene early in project planning and design to identify potential cost overruns, construction risks, and maintenance expenses before they become difficult and expensive to address.
According to Surv. Cobbold, value for money should begin with critical questions about the necessity of a project, the clarity of its scope, the feasibility of its design, and whether the cost of construction and long-term maintenance can be sustained within available resources. He cautioned that an attractive tender price does not necessarily guarantee value, as incomplete designs and poor planning can lead to costly variations, delays, and premature repairs.
The Quantity Surveyors Division has been called upon to develop strategies to ensure that quantity surveyors play a more significant role in public infrastructure delivery. The division's 2026 Annual General Meeting aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry professionals, with a focus on delivering accountable, transparent, and value-driven public infrastructure.
Key points
- Quantity surveyors in Ghana must ensure public funds are used efficiently and transparently.
- The Value for Money Office Act, 2026, aims to position quantity surveyors as strategic partners in delivering value-driven public infrastructure.
- The Value for Money Office is expected to begin operations in January 2027.
