Architects must transition from being silent designers to courageous, ethical leaders who prioritise universal accessibility and national integrity, African business statesman Sir Sam Jonah has said.
He made the call in an address to the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) during their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 20.
The business mogul issued a solemn warning against professional silence in the face of the nation’s “gathering storm” of challenges.
The Accessibility Imperative: No Ghanaian Left Behind
Sir Sam Jonah put the responsibility of inclusivity squarely on the shoulders of architects, demanding they design a Ghana that serves all its citizens, particularly those with disabilities.
“I challenge every practitioner and student of Architecture and the Built Environment to design buildings and spaces that are accessible and usable by everyone, making sure to never leave behind our brothers, sisters and children living with disability.”
He emphasized that architecture is fundamentally about dignity, requiring the creation of spaces that facilitate better living, minimize harm, and have a positive impact on the senses, environment, and society.
This call comes as Ghana still lags significantly in enforcing its Persons with Disability Act (2006, Act 715), which mandates accessibility standards for public buildings and services.
Ending Cowardice: Enforce the Code
Building on his earlier critique of the over-reliance on foreign trends and imported materials, Sir Sam Jonah articulated a vision for a confident, rule-based Ghanaian architectural industry.
He called for a complete cultural shift away from timid imitation and toward assertive professionalism.
“Let us work to make our local materials celebrated, not merely tolerated, sidelined or denigrated; Let us make Ghana… a place where building codes are enforced, not waived; where architects speak with confidence, not whisper with cowardice.”
This is a direct rebuke of the industry’s purported failure to resist political and financial pressures that compromise design integrity and lead to structural failures, which often victimize the public.
The Storm Clouds are Gathering: A Moral Warning
Sir Sam Jonah linked the professional choices of the architects to the fate of the nation itself, citing the intertwined threats of environmental decay and ethical decay.
“The storm clouds are gathering – climate change, collapsing infrastructure, and eroded values. Will we be passive observers or courageous participants?”
He crystallized his demand for ethical leadership using a potent African adage:
“As our forebears say, ‘The one who sees the storm clouds gathering and fails to speak will have no excuse when the floods arrive.’ Let us summon our voice to speak with courage and clarity when things go wrong.”
Concluding with an offer of support, the business mogul invoked the Akan proverb, “Woforo dua pa a, na yepia wo – when you climb a good tree, we all give you a push.”
He affirmed that if architects choose the path of integrity and excellence, the nation will rally behind them.
“Architects of Ghana, climb a good tree, and the nation will support you. Let us take the lead in shaping the shelter, work and living spaces, and a better future for ourselves and generations to come.”