GIA cracks down on fake architects, illegal practice

The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has announced a stringent nationwide campaign to curb the illegal practice of architecture, targeting both Ghanaians and foreign professionals operating without proper accreditation. This decisive action comes in the wake of a recent arrest involving a suspect who allegedly used a forged architectural stamp and registration number belonging to a legitimate architect.

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We discovered that somebody had impersonated an architect. The architect whose registration number was used is Anthony Parker-London. The suspect used the architect’s registration number and identity to stamp drawings illegally.

Tony Asare, President of the GIA and a board member of the Architects Registration Council (ARC), revealed that the issue surfaced when concerns were raised about the authenticity of a stamp used on building drawings. A licensed architect, Anthony Parker-London, discovered his registration details were being used by an individual, Fiati Kwame Edwin, who is not a registered architect. The suspect was apprehended by the police's Criminal Investigations Department following a joint operation.

"We discovered that somebody had impersonated an architect. The architect whose registration number was used is Anthony Parker-London. The suspect used the architect’s registration number and identity to stamp drawings illegally," Asare stated. The GIA is committed to pursuing the case to its legal conclusion, ensuring offenders face prosecution and deterring future misconduct.

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We are not backing down. We are going to pursue this matter and ensure that the duplication of stamps and the impersonation of architects are dealt with according to the law.

Furthermore, Asare issued a stern warning to foreign architects and firms operating in Ghana. He emphasized that compliance with Ghana's legal requirements for architectural practice, including registration with the GIA and ARC, is mandatory. Failure to do so constitutes a contravention of the law, carrying penalties of fines for each day of illegal practice. The GIA also noted instances of foreign firms erecting oversized billboards and undertaking projects without adhering to regulations, signaling the Institute's intent to pursue legal action against all offenders.

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If you practise in this country according to law, you must be registered. If not, you have contravened the law, and for every day you practise illegally, you are liable to fines of 12 penalty units.