GhIE targets stronger engineering standards with excellence awards

The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has launched the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) to recognise outstanding work and innovation in the engineering sector.

The awards were launched on Thursday at the Engineering Centre in Roman Ridge, Accra, under the theme, “Celebrating Engineering Excellence for a Resilient and Prosperous Ghana.”

The initiative will recognise individuals, organisations and teams whose engineering work has contributed to addressing practical challenges and improving services.

President of GhIE, Ing Ludwig Annang Hesse, said the awards formed part of the Institution’s mandate to promote and recognise excellence in engineering.

“If we must engineer our future, we must do it well and we must do it right,” he said.

He explained that although the EEA had existed since 2014, it had previously been organised as part of the Institution’s annual banquet during Engineering Week by an ad-hoc committee.

According to him, the Institution’s 2025–2027 strategic focus resulted in amendments to its Constitution and Bye-Laws, as well as the establishment of a Research, Innovation and Excellence Standing Committee.

He said the new structure would allow the awards to operate as a standalone scheme and provide greater focus on innovative engineering and technological solutions to societal challenges.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim, the Registrar of the Engineering Council of Ghana, Ing Isaac Bedu, said the Ministry’s core areas of responsibility were closely linked to engineering.

“When drains fail in Accra, it is an engineering question. When we face a housing deficit of over 1.8 million units, it is an engineering and innovation question. When communities lack safe water, it is an engineering question,” he said.

He said Ghana’s infrastructure and development needs required professionalism, technical competence and integrity.

He added that government would continue to work with GhIE to strengthen local engineering capacity, promote local content and improve collaboration among academia, industry and professional bodies.

He also urged senior engineers to mentor young professionals and encouraged young engineers to combine innovation with integrity.

Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Ing Dr Latifatu Mohammed, said the 2026 awards would cover five broad areas: Individual Excellence; Innovation and Technology Advancement; Sector-Specific Engineering Excellence; Public Impact and Policy; and Organisational and Team Excellence.

Specific categories include Professional Engineer of the Year, Young Engineer of the Year, Distinguished Woman in Engineering, Lifetime Achievement, Engineering Educator, Engineering Researcher, Engineering Entrepreneur and Best Student Project.

The innovation categories will include sustainable engineering, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, robotics, automation, digitalisation, intellectual property, collaboration, and health, safety and risk management.

According to the organisers, entries will also be assessed based on measurable outcomes, including cost savings, productivity gains, jobs created, patents, safety improvements, emissions reductions and infrastructure delivered.

Judging will be conducted by independent experts using standardised, evidence-based criteria. Judges will also be required to declare any conflicts of interest.

Nominations are open to individuals, self-nominations and third parties until September 30, 2026.