The Chairperson of the Lands Surveying Division of the Ghana Insti­tution of Survey, Dr Tina Dzigbordi Wemegah, has urged land survey­ors not to reduce themselves to boundary demarcators and cadas­tral mappers, but see themselves as critical agents of development.She said the current technologi­cal advancement required that sur­veyors review their role in national development."We must be strategic enablers of policymaking, sustainable urban planning, disaster risk manage­ment, and technological innova­tion," she said.Dr Wemegah said this at the opening of the 2025 Annual Gen­eral Meeting (AGM) of the Land Surveying Division of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) held last Friday.The three-day event was to create the platform for Land Surveyors to deliberate on how to equip themselves with interdisci­plinary knowledge and advanced technological skills in the collec­tion, analysis, and interpretation of spatial data.It was on the theme "Enhanc­ing Land Surveyors' Competencies for Sustainable Nation Develop­ment".She said: "As land surveyors, we are the custodians of geospatial data, the architects of land demar­cation, and the stewards of spatial integrity."Dr Wemegah explained that the land sector was a crucial resource in Ghana, supporting agriculture, housing, transport, energy, and industry, stressing that "It shapes urban growth, drives sustainability, and impacts economic develop­ment.

Land surveyors play a vital role in these areas."She indicated that the Land Surveying Division had engaged in discussions on topics pertinent to the evolving technologies within our profession to strengthen the competencies of land surveyors, thereby contributing to sustainable national development.In his address, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Prof.

Prosper Larry, underscored the need for land surveyors to be equipped with interdisciplinary knowledge and advanced techno­logical skills."Their ability to collect, analyse, and interpret spatial data can support informed decision-making across government and private sectors, enhancing governance, economic efficiency, and environ­mental protection," he said.This, he said, had become imperative as Ghana aspired to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2030 objectives, thus making the role of Land Surveyors significant.The conference, he explained, sought to enhance the competen­cies of land surveyors, thereby supporting the country's broader developmental and economic aspirations."We have designed this year's programme to reflect on the new dimensions of our profes­sion, including topical technical discussions on new geospatial innovations, AI applications, ethical practice, and integrated project management for impactful outcomes," he said.The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, for his part, noted that land surveyors were at the heart of national development by providing accurate data and maps that guide physical planning, infrastructure development and land administra­tion.He explained that land survey­ors also help in addressing land boundary disputes, which he said were numerous in the country, especially in the Central Region. FROM DAVID O.

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