The Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, has made a case for facility managers to be integrated into the initial planning stages of building projects. 

Speaking at the Ghana chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) end-of-year dinner and awards in Accra on Dec 7, she explained that their valuable expertise would help with sustainable housing delivery if engaged in the initial phase of building projects.  

She said that facility management was often overlooked in the project development cycle, from design to commissioning, operational insights, resulting in structures that deteriorate prematurely.

This neglect, she said, had led to rampant disrepair of public buildings and homes across the country.

“Despite investments, our housing stock continues to dwindle not because we fail to build, but because we fail to maintain what we build,” she said.

This gathering is more than a celebration. It is a moment of reflection, a moment of gratitude, and a moment of renewed commitment to the journey we are all taking to elevate Facility Management in Ghana.

Awards

The awards honoured individuals and organisations for their contribution to excellence in the sector.

The facility manager of the year went to Augustine Affum-Sarpong; Facility management team of the year went to Ashesi University, while ABSA Bank Limited won the institutional excellence in facilities management and sustainability facilities award.

Emerging facility management award went to Martin Agyeman Ayitah while Ebenezer Edem Gbolonyo and Audrey Awirefir Swanzy-Essandoh won the excellence in workplace, work and environment and IFMA Ghana distinguished service awards respectively.

Outstanding FM Service Provider went to Enterprise Properties Limited with Ecobank Ghana PLC winning the award for excellence in workplace, work and environment (corporate category).

Also, 49 facility management professionals and eight sustainability professionals who were trained by the IFMA also received certification. 

Guidelines

With facility management evolving into a tech-enabled, data-driven discipline, Mrs Tetteh-Agbotui said plans were underway to revise public project guidelines to incorporate integrated facility management plans from the beginning of projects.

She also called for collaborative efforts between the Ministry and IFMA Ghana to enhance property value and tenant satisfaction.

She commended the contributions of the awardees, saying their efforts resonated deeply with the quality of life for Ghanaians. 

Professional development

The President of IFMA Ghana, Sampson Opare-Agyemang, announced the establishment of student chapters at Sunyani Technical University and SDD University of Business and Integrated Development Studies for the mentorship and professional development of the next generation of FM leaders equipped to manage the country’s critical assets responsibly.

He stressed the importance of collaboration between sectors, stating that strong partnerships with government, academia, and industry were critical for the success of Facility Management in Ghana.

He added that his outfit was committed to ensuring efficient use of public resources and infrastructure.

IFMA Ghana, he said, was focused on achieving formal recognition of FM within the national development agenda.

“We envision a future where trained FM professionals are standard in government recruitment and where strong partnerships with universities facilitate a continuous pipeline of skilled practitioners,” he added.