The state of the surveying profession in Africa: A Ghanaian perspective

Obeng-Odoom, F; Ameyaw, S

The state of the surveying profession in Africa: A Ghanaian perspective

Obeng-Odoom, F

Ameyaw, S

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Property Management, 2011, 29 (3), pp. 262 - 284
Issue Date:: 2011-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Obeng-Odoom, F https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3997-7751	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ameyaw, S	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-06-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Property Management, 2011, 29 (3), pp. 262 - 284	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0263-7472	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/31190
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which the process of becoming a surveyor in Ghana mirrors a broad conception of professionalism. Design/methodology/approach: The work is grounded in field research in the form of interviews/survey conducted by the authors in Ghana. The sample is drawn in such a way that the work benefits from the experiences of people at different levels of surveying training. Findings: The study reveals that professional surveying training in Ghana is effective but narrow: senior surveyors do provide mentoring to probationers, but they engage in poor labour practices; probationers do obtain professional training, but many of their expectations are not met. While there are both costs and benefits to the mentors and mentees, the study finds that, on balance, the process of professionalisation is designed to favour a few owners of surveying firms. Practical implications: It is the intention of the authors that this work would contribute to a process of "conscientisation". The paper provides part of the basis for young surveyors to reject being passive recipients of instruction to becoming active workers and professionals who have a deep awareness of the social reality which shapes their professional lives and understand how they can reshape that reality. Originality/value: This research work is the first study of the state of professionalism and work conditions of surveyors in Ghana. The study sheds light on the conditions under which surveyors work and shows how professional they are. On the one hand, this study provides the opportunity for prospective surveyors in Ghana to reflect on their aspiration before embarking on that "journey". On the other hand, it gives practising surveyors a basis for reflecting on how the profession can be improved. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Property Management	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1108/02637471111139428	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Urban & Regional Planning	en_US
dc.title	The state of the surveying profession in Africa: A Ghanaian perspective	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	29	en_US
utslib.for	1202 Building	en_US
utslib.for	12 Built Environment and Design	en_US
utslib.for	15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CCDP - Contemporary Design Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	29	en_US

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which the process of becoming a surveyor in Ghana mirrors a broad conception of professionalism. Design/methodology/approach: The work is grounded in field research in the form of interviews/survey conducted by the authors in Ghana. The sample is drawn in such a way that the work benefits from the experiences of people at different levels of surveying training. Findings: The study reveals that professional surveying training in Ghana is effective but narrow: senior surveyors do provide mentoring to probationers, but they engage in poor labour practices; probationers do obtain professional training, but many of their expectations are not met. While there are both costs and benefits to the mentors and mentees, the study finds that, on balance, the process of professionalisation is designed to favour a few owners of surveying firms. Practical implications: It is the intention of the authors that this work would contribute to a process of "conscientisation". The paper provides part of the basis for young surveyors to reject being passive recipients of instruction to becoming active workers and professionals who have a deep awareness of the social reality which shapes their professional lives and understand how they can reshape that reality. Originality/value: This research work is the first study of the state of professionalism and work conditions of surveyors in Ghana. The study sheds light on the conditions under which surveyors work and shows how professional they are. On the one hand, this study provides the opportunity for prospective surveyors in Ghana to reflect on their aspiration before embarking on that "journey". On the other hand, it gives practising surveyors a basis for reflecting on how the profession can be improved. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/31190