Accra: The Land Surveying Division (LSD) of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GHIS) has officially launched its 2026 Annual Conference with a vibrant Sports and Wellness Day, emphasizing the significance of healthy living as a fundamental aspect of professional practice.
According to Ghana Web, the event held at the Ridge Church School in Accra gathered surveyors, their families, and guests for a morning of football, aerobics, lawn tennis, and indoor games. The activities fostered an atmosphere of excitement, fellowship, and healthy competition, highlighting that land surveyors need not only technical skills but also physical fitness and mental strength.
The event was graced by the presence of the President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Surv. Kofi Cobolt, the Senior Vice President, Vice Treasurer, members of the Governing Council, the Executive Committee of the Land Surveying Division, and several senior members of the profession. GHIS President, Surv. Emmanuel Kofi Cobbold, praised the Land Surveying Division for integrating sports and wellness into the conference program. He emphasized that this approach represents a modern and holistic view of professional development, stressing that good health is crucial for professionals engaged in demanding fieldwork.
Surv. Dr. Tina Wemegah, Chairperson of the Land Surveying Division, described the Sports Day as a unique opportunity to strengthen unity and camaraderie among members while promoting healthy lifestyles. She encouraged members to actively participate in all conference activities, highlighting that this year's program is designed to blend professional learning, networking, wellness, and collaboration.
Surv. Prof. Prosper B. Laari, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, officially opened the conference week. He stated that starting the conference with sports was a deliberate choice to underscore the importance of wellness within the profession. "Land surveying is not only about surveying parcels of land, producing maps, plans, and contours. It is a profession that demands physical endurance, concentration, and mental fortitude. A healthy surveyor is a productive surveyor, and that is why we must intentionally make exercise and healthy living part of our professional culture," he explained.
Prof. Laari further mentioned that the conference promises a rich blend of learning, networking, and practical exposure. Participants will engage in an Educational Hydrographic Survey Tour at the Tema Harbour, providing firsthand experience in hydrographic data acquisition, survey equipment, and marine surveying operations. The event will continue with the Akwaaba Night at the CENCOR Centre, Dzorwulu, and the formal opening of the conference at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), Madina, with a Free Health Screening available before the ceremony.
Under the theme "Advancing Land Surveying through Innovation, Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement," the conference will feature keynote presentations, technical sessions, panel discussions, paper presentations, exhibitions, and the Division's Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will conclude with a cocktail and networking session on Friday, August 21, 2026. The Land Surveying Division anticipates that this year's conference will serve as a crucial platform for advancing professional practice and strengthening collaboration among surveyors and key stakeholders in tackling Ghana's land governance, infrastructure, environmental, and spatial development challenges.