Accra: The rigorous assessment process of architects is designed to safeguard professional standards and protect the public, Professor Daniel Duah, the Chief Examiner of the professional practice examination and interviews at the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), has said.
According to Ghana News Agency, the examinations validate the competence of architects, ensure global recognition, and assure the public that licensed practitioners have undergone comprehensive academic and practical training. "Examinations are very important because they validate the skill sets acquired over the years and serve as a licensure requirement. They also give architects credibility and international recognition," Prof. Duah explained in an interview on the sidelines of an examination organized by the Institute.
He noted that before sitting for the professional examinations, candidates must graduate from accredited architecture programs and complete supervised practical training. Prof. Duah explained that after registering as probationers with the GIA, candidates complete logbooks documenting their practical experience and submit case studies demonstrating their involvement in full project cycles from client engagement and design to construction and handover.
The examination comprises three stages: a pre-written interview accounting for 20 percent of the total marks, written examinations covering pre- and post-contract activities weighted at 60 percent, and a post-written interview also accounting for 20 percent. The written component, he said, is divided into two papers; one focusing on pre-contract processes such as feasibility studies and procurement, and the other on post-contract administration, including site supervision and project delivery.
Prof. Duah said following the assessment, results are reviewed by the Examination Committee and Council of the GIA before being submitted to the Architects Registration Council (ARC), the statutory regulator of the profession, for final approval and publication. "Successful candidates are inducted as fully licensed architects, usually in October," he added.
The Institute had revised the examination format in recent years to include interviews alongside written papers to ensure a more holistic assessment of candidates. Candidates who underwent structured mentorship in established architectural firms generally performed better than those who worked independently without adequate supervision, the Chief Examiner said.
He raised concerns about individuals posing as architects by misusing registration numbers, stressing the need for greater public awareness and verification. He urged the public and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to cross-check the names and registration numbers of practitioners against the annual list of architects in good standing published by the Institute before seeking their services. "When a building collapses, it is a serious matter. We must ensure that only properly trained and licensed professionals are allowed to practice," Prof. Duah said.
He called for stronger advocacy and enforcement to protect the integrity of the profession and ensure public safety. Mr. Janos Mensah, a candidate, described the process as calm and straightforward, dismissing claims that it was overly rigorous. Speaking after an interview session, he explained that compared to the intense academic training architects go through, the interview itself was conducted in a relaxed and professional atmosphere. Mr. Mensah said candidates were required to provide their professional experience and clearly outline the roles they played on various projects over a period of practice.