Ing Prof. Kwaku Amaning Adjei, Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Geo-Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has urged civil engineering practitioners to uphold professional integrity and make it central to their daily practice.
He said engineering integrity was critical to protecting public safety, property and the environment, stressing that engineers must be prepared to uphold professional standards even in the face of commercial, institutional or other pressures.
Prof. Adjei made the call in a keynote address at the Civil Technical Division Mini-Conference of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) in Accra, held on the theme: “Engineering Integrity in Action: The Role of Civil Division Practitioners.” on September 25, 2026
He said integrity in engineering went beyond honesty, requiring consistency between professionals’ words, decisions and actions and the standards they were expected to uphold.
According to him, professional integrity required uncompromising adherence to standards, independence and objectivity in decision-making, transparency and accountability, and a clear duty of care towards people, property and the environment.
Prof. Adjei said engineers should not accept assignments beyond their competence simply because they were commercially attractive but should recognise their limitations and seek specialist support where necessary.
“Knowing when to say, ‘I need specialist support’ is not a weakness,” he said, describing it as an indication of professional maturity and responsibility.
He also cautioned practitioners against conflicts of interest, particularly where an engineer responsible for inspection, certification or quality assurance had a financial interest in a contractor or project.
“Our professional judgement must never become subordinate to our financial interest,” he said, urging engineers to guard against relationships with contractors and material suppliers that could influence technical decisions.
Prof. Adjei said the GhIE Constitution and Code of Ethics placed integrity at the centre of engineering practice, with particular emphasis on protecting the safety, health, welfare and property of the public.
He said the Code also required engineers to resist practices such as conflicts of interest, collusion in procurement and the manipulation of resources for personal gain, while promoting transparency and fair competition.
The KNUST Dean urged engineers to demonstrate integrity through practical decisions, including refusing to approve unsafe practices and declining to sign, certify or endorse work that they had not adequately reviewed, inspected or supervised.
He said quality assurance and quality control activities, including concrete, reinforcement, soil and asphalt testing, should be treated as essential components of engineering practice rather than administrative requirements.
Prof. Adjei identified mentorship, systems strengthening, public education and continuous professional development as key responsibilities for strengthening public confidence in the engineering profession.
He called on senior engineers to mentor young professionals and instil in them the importance of ethical conduct, while urging GhIE, the Engineering Council and other regulatory and professional institutions to strengthen mechanisms for professional accountability, inspection and enforcement.
He also urged engineers to educate the public on the value of professional engineering services, noting that proper design, supervision, testing and maintenance were investments in safety, durability and value.
Prof. Adjei further stressed the need for continuous professional development as climate change, urbanisation, new materials, digital technologies and emerging construction methods continued to reshape engineering practice.
Describing engineering as “a covenant of trust with society,” he urged practitioners not to allow commercial pressure, institutional weaknesses or personal interests to undermine their professional responsibilities.
“Whether we report the defect, reject the substandard material, disclose the conflict, tell the client the truth, refuse to sign what we have not verified, or admit when we do not know that is integrity in action,” he said.
He reminded engineers of their professional oath to act with honesty, fairness and truthfulness, with due regard for human life, the environment and property.
Prof. Adjei said integrity should be reflected in everyday professional conduct, from honest testing and fair procurement to proper site supervision and mentoring of young engineers.