The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has held its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Cape Coast, drawing architects, planners, academics, and industry stakeholders from across the country. The gathering, themed “From Castles to Our Future Cities”, explored the evolution of Ghana’s built environment and the role of architecture in shaping national identity.
The event’s Guest of Honour, Sir Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, delivered a keynote address that was both humorous and deeply reflective, touching on professional culture, historical memory, and the urgent need for a distinctly Ghanaian design philosophy.
A Humorous Yet Honest Opening
Sir Sam Jonah began his speech with a light-hearted salute to the architectural profession:
“As I salute your dedication to the design and future of our built environment… please allow me to confess something I’ve always admired about you. You are the only professionals who spend your day drawing lines… and then you spend the next day arguing with contractors about why they ignored the lines in the first place.”
His remarks drew warm laughter from the audience, setting the tone for a candid but thought-provoking address.
Architecture Is Never Neutral
Reflecting on the AGM’s theme, Sir Jonah described it as both timely and provocative, noting that the historic city of Cape Coast provided the perfect backdrop for such a conversation.
“Because architecture is never neutral. Architecture reflects our values, our priorities—and of course, it has the power and the power dynamics of our society.
He noted that the Cape Coast and Elmina castles—majestic yet haunting—stand as reminders that buildings “do speak,” carrying within them the painful legacies of the past.
“So as we design our future cities, a simple but profound question confronts us: What will our buildings say about us?”
What Is Ghana’s Architectural Voice?
Sir Jonah challenged Ghanaian architects to think critically about the country’s evolving identity and aesthetic direction.
“The Japanese have a minimalist Zen elegance. The Chinese blend tradition with futuristic ambition. The Koreans balance nature and technology. What of Ghana? What is our distinctive architectural aesthetic and voice?”
He lamented the slow pace and inconsistency in Ghana’s building culture:
“Sometimes our buildings take so long to complete that by the time the building is finished, the original architect has retired, the contractor has changed phones three times, and the design has been so altered that even the foundation is confused.”
A Call to Build for Climate, Culture, and Context
Sir Jonah urged architects to revive Ghana’s indigenous building wisdom instead of over-relying on imported materials and foreign design trends.
“Have we forgotten how to build for our climate, for our culture, and for our context? Are we content to mimic the grandeur of Dubai while neglecting the beauty and resourcefulness of places like Ntonso?”
He questioned why Ghana continues to invest heavily in imported cement while ignoring the sustainable, climate-responsive materials used by ancestors—mud, laterite, and timber.
“These are materials that breathe in our land,” he emphasized.
With a smile, he added a remark that drew another round of laughter:
“And let me add— in Ghana, when an architect is unsure which material to use, the answer is always… cement!
Charting a Path Forward
The AGM also included professional development sessions, panel discussions on sustainable urbanism, exhibitions by young architects, and deliberations on regulatory reforms within the industry.
GIA President (fictional or unspecified), in closing remarks, thanked Sir Jonah for “a powerful reminder that architecture is both a mirror and a compass,” urging members to commit to a future where Ghana’s buildings tell stories of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.
Conclusion
This year’s GIA Annual General Meeting in Cape Coast succeeded in sparking renewed reflection on how Ghana’s architectural community can shape the country’s urban future while honouring its past. With Sir Sam Jonah’s charged call for authenticity, the conversation on Ghana’s architectural identity is set to continue long after the AGM.
By Frank Asorba Kofi Essuman
