MR. MARTIN ESON-BENJAMIN CALLS ON ENGINEERS TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICIES

The former CEO of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) and the Chairman of Enterprise Insurance Company Limited, Mr. Martin Eson-Benjamin, has called on Engineering Practitioners in Ghana to have the capacity to influence public policies and commit to Singapore’s success story.

He said, our governments, supported by the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) and related associations, ought to be encouraged by the example of Singapore, given its phenomenal and sustainable development trajectory, relative to our status at the time of Independence in 1957.

He noted that, the engineering profession institution is non-political and autonomous, comparable to similar institutions in developed countries. Therefore, GhIE could present what he called an ‘Annual State of Engineering Status Report’ on Ghana, to offer some assurances and enable the GhIE’s good works and intended contributions to be recognized. Furthermore, he called for the institution to recognize its members publicly of their contributions to engineering and by extension to National Development. He averred that a country cannot develop beyond the sophistication of its engineering practice.

Mr. Eson-Benjamin made this call when he delivered an evening lecture organized by the Technical Divisions of GhIE at the Engineers Centre, Roman Ridge, Accra, on Tuesday, 23rd April, 2024.

Speaking on the topic: “Reminiscing about My Work with Engineers and other Expectations by Martin Eson-Benjamin”, the former MiDA boss said, in his 51-year working career, he could recall the very productive engagements with a number of specialized engineers, across disciplines such as environmental, marine, safety, geodetic, civil and structural, municipal and urban. He explained that engineers and engineering play a complex role in society. The engineering profession is a strong catalyst for advancement in technology, social and national development. It provides the roadmap and insurance for national development and sustainable growth thereby transforming the environment for the betterment of life.

“It is in this light that I stretch my observations to include some suggestions on how the GhIE and by extension, engineers, can introspect and play special roles in economic development, improving social welfare and advancing the development of the nation as a whole”, he added.

He called on GhIE members to brighten their corner and lead the way to use our national resources to develop the nation. He asked them to initiate and sustain arrangements to work together with leaders of businesses and policy drivers, to constantly direct their attention to socio-technological problems and to develop a sense of employing engineering and technology, as major and essential components of their preparation.

Mr. Martin Eson-Benjamin ended his lecture with a quote by George Bugliarello, saying: “Until engineering is prepared to assume greater leadership, it will remain a most honorable and skillful profession, but it will renounce its legitimate role as a splendid manifestation of humankind’s will to control its destiny”.

The President of GhIE, Ing. Kwabena Bempong, in his welcome address, expressed delight that Mr. Martin Eson-Benjamin accepted to provide this important lecture to the engineering practitioners and reminiscing his long association with engineers in his over 50 years working career including his stints at Kumasiwith Ghana Breweries,Lever Brothers divisions of Unilever, and his work at MiDA that worked on the infrastructural projects under Ghana’s Millennium Challenge Compacts from 2007-2023.

The program was chaired by Ing. Kweku Awotwi, a former CEO and Board Chairman of VRA and also former CEO of Tullow.

In attendance included, Ing. Sophia Abena Tijani-Vice-President of GhIE; Ing. David Nyante-Executive Director of GhIE; Ing. Darlington Ahuble-Chair of Mechanical and Marine Technical Division; Ing. Ebenezer Ato Roberts-Chair, Electrical/Electronics Technical Division of GhIE; Ing. Dr. Robert E. Adjaye-Past President of GhIE; Mr. Philip K. Aheto, Executive Council member of GhIE, Ing. William Amuna, former CEO of GRIDCo and a Fellow of GhIE, Past Presidents and other engineering practitioners, as well as engineering students from University of Ghana, with large number of engineering practitioners joining the lecture online. The evening lecture was moderated by Ing. Joseph Oddae-Fellow of GhIE.