Land surveyor’s returns to Accra to champion sustainable development

The Land Surveying Division (LSD) of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has intensified preparations for its 2026 Annual Land Surveyors Conference, with members of the Planning Committee and Division's Chairperson conducting an inspection of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) Auditorium, Madina-Accra, to assess the venue's readiness for the flagship event.

The conference, which will be held under the theme "Advancing Land Surveying through Innovation, Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement," returns to Accra after four successful editions hosted in Tamale, Sunyani, Koforidua, and Cape Coast, reflecting the Division's commitment to promoting professional development across the country.

Scheduled to run from 15th to 22nd August 2026, with the main conference sessions taking place from 19th to 21st August, 2026. The event promises a rich blend of professional learning and networking.

Activities will include an educational and technical tour of the Tema Port to expose participants to hydrographic surveying and port operations, a Health Walk, sporting activities, technical paper presentations, exhibitions, and high-level panel discussions on national development and the future of the surveying profession.

Speaking after the venue inspection, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Surv. Prof Prosper B. Laari, said this year's conference is intended to reposition Land Surveyors as strategic partners in addressing Ghana's most pressing development challenges.

"The conference theme reflects the growing importance of Land Surveyors in providing the spatial intelligence required to tackle national issues such as flooding, illegal mining (galamsey), unplanned urban development, indiscriminate land sales, and environmental degradation.

These challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. They require innovation, strategic collaboration, and meaningful stakeholder engagement among surveyors, planners, engineers, environmental professionals, local authorities, and policymakers."

He added that with the rapid advancement of geospatial technologies, countries that fail to prioritize spatial planning and integrated land management risk undermining sustainable development and infrastructure growth.

The conference will feature panel discussions on strengthening land governance through collaboration and geospatial innovation, as well as the future of the Land Surveying Division, focusing on strategic planning, professional growth, innovation, and positioning the profession to meet emerging national and global demands.

On her part, Chairperson of the Land Surveying Division, Surv. Dr. Tina Wemegah, called on all Land Surveyors, Geomatic Engineers, trainees, students, and allied professionals to participate in the conference.

She noted that the Division has embarked on important initiatives, including the establishment of an LSD Think Tank and a Strategic Planning Committee, to develop a long-term vision for the profession and ensure that the Division remains relevant in an increasingly digital and technology-driven environment.

"The conference is not only an opportunity to update our professional knowledge but also a platform to reflect on our progress, strengthen collaboration, and collectively shape the future of the Land Surveying profession in Ghana," she said.

The 2026 Annual Land Surveyors Conference is expected to attract professionals from the surveying and geospatial industry, academia, government institutions, the built environment, and development partners, reaffirming the profession's commitment to advancing sustainable land governance, infrastructure development, and national transformation through innovation, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.