Samuel Laryea | University of Witwatersrand (original) (raw)

Books by Samuel Laryea

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Book of Abstracts, 2024

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Book of Abstracts

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Proceedings , 2024

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Proceedings

WABER SuDBE Conference 2024 Guide Book

Research Companion to Construction Economics, 2021

Key economic principles and considerations influencing the bidding price of a construction projec... more Key economic principles and considerations influencing the bidding price of a construction project are discussed in this chapter. The chapter also covers the way that certain factors influence client and contractor economic behaviour in the bidding process. Also highlighted are some of the theories that have been used by academic researchers in the field of construction economics to explain bidding behaviour in construction.

A comparative analysis of public sector infrastructure projects implemented using a traditional p... more A comparative analysis of public sector infrastructure projects implemented using a traditional public sector model versus projects implemented using a modern management contractor model is presented. Traditionally, the implementation of public sector construction projects in South Africa is undertaken by an implementer such as a Department of Public Works on a traditional design by employer contracting strategy. However, in 2014, the Western Cape Education Department created a framework contract and employed two management contractors with single point accountability to implement maintenance and upgrading projects alongside those implemented in the traditional manner. 122 projects implemented by management contractors are evaluated and compared with 35 implemented by the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works based on cost performance, time performance, and professional services costs of the two approaches. The practice of including contingency and provisional sums in contracts distorts the cost performance analysis and superficial comparisons can be misleading. The management contracts delivered more projects on time. The professional service costs associated with management contracts was 9.2% compared to 15.6% for public works projects. The overall evidence demonstrates that the management contracting system is efficient and suited to the nature of maintenance and upgrading projects and delivers significant advantages.

Construction in West Africa, 2012

Many of the current textbooks used to teach construction-related courses in West African institut... more Many of the current textbooks used to teach construction-related courses in West
African institutions fail to fully articulate the local construction practices and
stylized facts that are unique to construction in the region. !is textbook is an
attempt to begin bridging this gap. !e main aim is to illuminate some of the main
issues and local practices relating to construction in West Africa, to provide a basis
for understanding the nature of the construction sector in the subregion, and its
relationship with local practices elsewhere in the world.
!e idea of writing a textbook on construction in West Africa emerged during
the WABER 2010 Conference which took place in Accra, Ghana on 19-21 July.
Looking at the 150+ participants comprising of construction academics, researchers
and practitioners, we saw the WABER conference as an opportunity to mobilise
ourselves and take this "rst step of providing a useful textbook for students and
researchers of construction in West Africa. Although the o#cial title of the book
is: “Construction in West Africa”, its origins and process of development has led
most people to simply refer to it as the “WABER Book”. !e end result just goes
to show what we can collectively achieve when we work together, share ideas and combine what we know.
!e chapters have been written by ten academics of West African origin based in six different countries. !e reviewers of the draft chapters for the book are based
in ten countries. !is scope and diversity is one of the strengths underpinning
the textbook, in that, the authors touch on a variety of interesting areas and draw
upon a broad array of experiences. In some chapters, the authors have been able to
relate their experiences of the construction sector in West Africa to local practices
elsewhere.
!e "rst chapter addresses the nature of economies in West Africa and its
relationship with the construction sector. !e production of construction goods, services, utilities and works happens within an economic context. This chapter helps in our understanding of some of the issues relating to demand and supply of construction goods and services, stylized features of the construction sector,
and economic institutions that support the construction industry such as banks,
insurance "rms, derivative markets and non-bank "nancial institutions.
!e second chapter provides a lens for understanding some of the historical
antecedents shaping the construction of buildings and infrastructure in West Africa. Architecture and urbanisation in most West African cities have been significantly influenced by the colonial period. Many buildings in West African
cities were constructed during the colonial period, as evidenced by the structures in areas such as Accra, Lagos, Abidjan and Bamako. However, one interesting thing about these buildings is how they have been incorporated over time into the local
and dynamic fabric of the locality, although their uses may have changed over
time according to the needs of the population, they continue to stand and testify to the British and French influence of this period and African adaptability in the independence period.
!e third chapter deals with the commonly seen architecture and building forms
in West Africa. !e concepts of traditional architecture, colonial architecture and
contemporary architecture are examined to consider the potential implications
on future design and construction practices. !is chapter examines the material
form and construction of speci"cally West African architecture, attempting a brief
survey of buildings from the nomadic dwellings of the Saharas dry savannah belt,
through to the rainforest wattle and daub settlements, to the stilt buildings found
in the mangrove swamps in coastal West Africa. It highlights the relationship of
building construction and form to socio-cultural economic and environmental
contexts in each case.
As construction activities involve input from people with the relevant knowledge
and skills, the fourth chapter on human resources explores some of the common
Human Resources practices in public and private construction sectors, particularly,
in Ghana and Nigeria. Key issues discussed include the role and demand of human
resources, workforce compositions and human resource challenges. A useful
point discussed is the need for better strategic management of the construction
workforce to improve the development and sustenance of the construction sector
and its contribution to the economic development of the subregion.
One of the initial activities carried out for every construction project or property
development is planning. !is may be carried out in formal and informal ways
depending on the scale of the development, location and regulatory requirements.
Although there is evidence of some level of planning and building regulations
during the pre-colonial era in most countries in West Africa, it was not until
the colonial administration that formal planning and building regulations were
institutionalised. Several decades a%er independence, most of the legislations and
institutions established still take centre stage in current planning and building
regulatory activities. With increasing urbanization in West African countries, the
adequacy and strength of such institutions are put to test. In the "%h chapter, three
issues are discussed in relation to the planning processes and building regulations
of countries in West Africa, i.e. the planning process, building regulations and the
state of cities.
vii
Procurement approaches and contract networks are essential parts of construction
projects. In a wider sense, procurement processes relate to the methods and
relationships involved in the acquisition of goods, utilities, services and works.
In construction, a procurement strategy describes the roles, responsibilities and
relationships of the various organizations involved in developing the funding,
design, construction and operation of a building or facility. In the sixth chapter,
some of the salient issues covered include the institutional framework within which
construction is procured; how to develop a tendering and procurement strategy
for a construction project appropriate to its context; key constraints on organizing
construction supply chains; and the impact of the economy on the options open
to a procurer of construction work. Anyone involved in procurement decisionmaking
should have a clear understanding of the various stages of deciding
on a procurement policy, including sources of funds, management of design,
management of construction, integration of supply chain, calculation of price, and
method for selecting contracting parties including consultants. !ey also need to
have an understanding of the various kinds of contracts used in construction.
!e seventh chapter focuses on the calculation of price which is a fundamental
activity in construction contracts. !ere are various techniques of how prices are
calculated i.e. "xed price or cost reimbursement. !is mechanism for calculating
the construction price has an impact on the pricing strategy of a contractor, and on
the risks associated with cash #ow, "nancial protection and, ultimately, price. !e
issues covered include the calculation of construction costs, elements of a bidding
price, factors considered by contractors in deciding whether or not to bid for a
project, and risks that a$ect pricing levels. !ree important concepts relating to
price formation in contracts are cost, price and value. Cost refers to the amount
people pay for their resources. Price refers to the amount for which people sell
their products or services. Value refers to the amount buyers are willing to pay
for products and services, i.e. how much it is worth to the buyer. !e relationship
between these three concepts is vital in procurement and price formation in
construction contracts.
Once a project is planned and the contractual arrangements are set out between
the employer, contractor and other members of the supply chain, appropriate
materials and methods need to be mobilised for actual production of the work
on a construction site. Chapter eight o$ers a detailed explanation of various
kinds of methods and materials used in construction production, particularly in
Ghana. It discusses the indigenous self-built construction techniques in Ghana
and provides comprehensive range of alternative solutions covering contemporary
and conventional methods of construction. Some of the key areas described
relate to construction methods of foundations and retaining structures, ground
water control, #oors, walls, doors and windows and roofs, which form the major
components of a building structure. Most of these are illustrated with drawings viii
and photographs of actual construction techniques in progress.
Education is key to the development and future of the construction professions
and industry in West Africa. !e "nal chapter looks at the major academic
institutions in the region that provide built environment education, and the courses
o$ered. Most part of the built environment education o$ered in universities has
traditionally been focused around six main areas of architecture, building, estate
management, quantity surveying, surveying and geoinformatics, and urban and
regional planning. New areas like construction management, project management,
real estate, and procurement management are emerging. It is crucial to keep the
built environment programmes o$ered in West African institutions fresh and upto-
date. A possible way to achieve this is to align the programmes with changing
national needs and global trends.
As to the best of our knowledge this is the "rst textbook of its kind focusing on
West Africa. It is impressive to have such an important piece of academic material
from a wide range of West African academics. We wish to thank and commend all eight authors of this first edition on a job well done.
Editors
Construction in West Africa

Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2013 Accra, Ghana, 1... more Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2013
Accra, Ghana, 12-14 August 2013
Editors
A/Prof Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr Sena A. Agyepong, Ashesi University College, Ghana
First published 2013
ISBN 978-0-9566060-6-8
Published by
West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference
C/o Samuel Laryea
University of the Witwatersrand
School of Construction Economics and Management
1 Jan Smuts Avenue
Johannesburg
PO Box 20
Wits 2050
Tel: +27 11 717-7657
Fax: +27 11 339-8175
Email: samuel.laryea@wits.ac.za
© The copyright for papers in this publication belongs to authors of the papers.
Correspondence
All correspondence relating to the WABER Conference should be addressed to:
Dr Sena A. Agyepong
Ashesi University College
Accra, Ghana
Email: senaagbodjah@yahoo.com
Please visit www.waberconference.com for more information
Declaration
All papers in this publication have been through a review process involving initial screening of abstracts, review by at least two referees, reporting of comments to authors, modifications of papers by authors and re-evaluation of re-submitted papers to ensure quality of content.

Book of abstracts of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2013 Accra, Gh... more Book of abstracts of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2013
Accra, Ghana, 12-14 August 2013
Editors
A/Prof Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr Sena A. Agyepong, Ashesi University College, Ghana
First published 2013
ISBN 978-0-9566060-7-5
Published by
West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference
C/o Samuel Laryea
University of the Witwatersrand
School of Construction Economics and Management
1 Jan Smuts Avenue
Johannesburg
PO Box 20
Wits 2050
Tel: +27 11 717-7657
Fax: +27 11 339-8175
Email: samuel.laryea@wits.ac.za
© The copyright for papers in this publication belongs to authors of the papers.
Correspondence
All correspondence relating to the WABER Conference should be addressed to:
Dr Sena A. Agyepong
Ashesi University College
Accra, Ghana
Email: senaagbodjah@yahoo.com
Please visit www.waberconference.com for more information
Declaration
All papers in this publication have been through a review process involving initial screening of abstracts, review by at least two referees, reporting of comments to authors, modifications of papers by authors and re-evaluation of re-submitted papers to ensure quality of content.

Brochure and Book of abstracts of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2... more Brochure and Book of abstracts of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015

10th - 12th August 2015 in Accra, Ghana

Editors
Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Roine Leiringer, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

First published in 2015

978-0-620-66249-9(print)
978-0-620-66250-5(e-book)

The ISBN for this publication was provided by the National Library of South Africa. Legal deposits of the publication have been supplied to the National Library of South Africa, Library of Parliament, and other places of Legal Deposit.

Published by:
West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference
C/o Samuel Laryea
School of Construction Economics and Management
University of the Witwatersrand
1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa
PO Box 20, Wits 2050
Tel: +27 78 172 6106
Email: samuel.laryea@wits.ac.za
Website: www.waberconf.com / www.waberconference.com

Declaration
All papers in this publication have been through a review process involving initial screening of abstracts, review of full papers by at least two referees, reporting of comments to authors, revision of papers by authors and re-evaluation of re-submitted papers to ensure quality of content.

Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015 Volume 2 10th... more Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015
Volume 2

10th - 12th August 2015 in Accra, Ghana

Editors
Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Roine Leiringer, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

First published in 2015

978-0-620-66247-5(print)
978-0-620-66248-2(e-book)

Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015 Volume 1 10th... more Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015
Volume 1

10th - 12th August 2015 in Accra, Ghana

Editors
Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Roine Leiringer, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

First published in 2015

978-0-620-66247-5(print)
978-0-620-66248-2(e-book)

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Book of Abstracts, 2024

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Book of Abstracts

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Proceedings , 2024

WABER SuDBE 2024 Conference Proceedings

WABER SuDBE Conference 2024 Guide Book

Research Companion to Construction Economics, 2021

Construction in West Africa, 2012

10th - 12th August 2015 in Accra, Ghana

Editors
Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Roine Leiringer, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

First published in 2015

978-0-620-66249-9(print)
978-0-620-66250-5(e-book)

Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015 Volume 2 10th... more Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015
Volume 2

10th - 12th August 2015 in Accra, Ghana

Editors
Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Roine Leiringer, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

First published in 2015

978-0-620-66247-5(print)
978-0-620-66248-2(e-book)

Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015 Volume 1 10th... more Proceedings of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference 2015
Volume 1

10th - 12th August 2015 in Accra, Ghana

Editors
Samuel Laryea, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Roine Leiringer, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

First published in 2015

978-0-620-66247-5(print)
978-0-620-66248-2(e-book)

Proceedings of the WABER SuDBE Conference 2024, 2024

Among the various studies that have addressed the application of BIM dynamics in domain of health... more Among the various studies that have addressed the application of BIM dynamics in domain of health and safety management, the lack of research regarding the impact of BIM dynamics on safety culture is clearly visible. These days, it is apparent that more and more construction technologies are currently being used for safety and health management. These technologies can be used in different construction applications to mitigate workplace hazards. Among these technologies, BIM and IoT has been shown to have significant potential in high-risk Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) industries. Several researchers have started to explore the potential synergy between BIM and IOT. Dynamic BIM presents an influential pattern for applications to improve construction safety management. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the necessity of research on the use of dynamic BIM in improving construction safety culture. Hence, the literature review method was used to identify the domains in which dynamic BIM has been applied. Prominent application domains in which dynamic BIM has been applied are construction operation and monitoring, facility management (FM), construction logistic and management, health and safety (H&S) management. Results show that no research has addressed the impact of dynamic BIM on safety culture. Therefore, research related to dynamic BIM and its impact on construction safety culture is necessary.

Proceedings of WABER SuDBE Conference 2024, 2024

Construction experts have noted the persistent concern about the quality of tender documents and ... more Construction experts have noted the persistent concern about the quality of tender documents and its impact on the construction sector. Poor specification writing continues to be a weak link in the information chain that degrades the quality of tender documents and causes disputes,
particularly in a competitive market where construction professionals strictly interpret the documents to prepare a competitive bid. The impact of tender document quality on the accuracy of project estimates is assessed to determine the determinants of good tender-quality documents. Additionally, interventions that can be implemented to improve tender document quality and the implications of poor tender document quality were also analyzed. Qualitative data was collected from construction professionals using an interview. Data was analyzed by Atlas-ti using thematic analysis where six key themes were extracted. The study concluded that poorquality tender documents compromise the accuracy of project estimates and delivery of projects within the South African construction industry. The consequences of poor tender document
quality included reduced project profitability, incomplete projects, project termination due to funding issues, misunderstanding of boundaries, misalignment of the programme, increased costs and a negative impact on construction estimates.

Proceedings of WABER SuDBE Conference 2024, 2024

Amid macroeconomic, political, environmental and technological disruptions that have previously l... more Amid macroeconomic, political, environmental and technological disruptions that have previously led to the failure of contracting firms, the construction industry faces the imperative to foster organisational resilience. While contemporary literature proposes diverse strategies to
manage these disruptions effectively, it lacks clarity on how these strategies are conceptualised and practically mobilised within contracting organisations. However, a notable deficiency of the literature is that the manner in which these strategies are conceptualised and mobilised
persuasively within contracting organisations remain unidentified. This study fills this void by conducting a comprehensive literature review, proposing a conceptual framework on the persuasive mobilisation of organisational resilience strategies within the construction sector.
Through the lens of the strategy-as-practice perspective and drawing upon theoretical insights from narrative theory, this research intricately examines the interplay between contextual factors such as industry dynamics, organisational resilience strategies, narrative building blocks,
strategic discourse and narrative persuasion. Specifically, this study underscores the significance of narrative infrastructure as the contextual canvas upon which strategic narratives are crafted and enacted. By elucidating the impact of narrative infrastructure on organisational actions and member perceptions, this framework not only advances theoretical understanding but also offers actionable insights for enhancing organisational resilience through strategic narratives. This research contributes to both academia and industry by shedding light on the pivotal role of narrative infrastructure in construction firms and providing pragmatic pathways for leveraging it effectively.

Proceedings of WABER SuDBE Conference 2024, 2024

All papers in this publication have been through a review process involving a review of abstracts... more All papers in this publication have been through a review process involving a review of abstracts, peer review of full papers by at least two referees, reporting of comments to authors, revision of papers by authors and reevaluation of the revised papers to ensure quality of content.

Proceedings of WABER SuDBE Conference 2024, 2024

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Oct 13, 2022

Purpose Construction projects require a range of documents (e.g. drawings and specifications) pre... more Purpose Construction projects require a range of documents (e.g. drawings and specifications) prepared by built environment professionals. In recent years, there has been a perception amongst professionals that quality of documentation has declined. “Low” professional fees were cited as one of the reasons for poor quality documentation. However, most studies on the topic contained inappropriate methodologies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to develop a conceptual methodology to comprehensively examine the relationship between fees and professional service output quality. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to evaluate the limitations of previous methodologies and identify variables in the relationship between fees and quality of professional service outputs. Findings from the SLR were used to develop a conceptual methodology to investigate the relationship between fees and quality of professional service outputs. Findings Based on a frequency analysis of factors in the construction literature, the three main variables influencing professional service output quality were fees, coordination and amount of time available for project tasks. The SLR and shortcomings in previous studies informed the development of a conceptual methodology to examine the relationship between fees and professional service output quality. Practical implications The conceptual methodology will assist in comprehensively investigating the effect of fees on the quality of professional service outputs. This is particularly relevant in countries where clients procure built environment professional services based on the lowest fee tendered but are concerned about quality. The methodology can establish how and to what extent “low” fees impact on professional service output quality. Industry professionals can also use variables identified in this paper to mitigate quality-related risks when producing professional service outputs. Originality/value This paper adds to the body of knowledge by identifying variables in the relationship between fees and professional service output quality. The identified variables can be monitored and controlled by researchers during future investigations. Additionally, a conceptual methodology was proposed to assist researchers to determine the effect of fees on professional service output quality. The flexibility of the conceptual methodology enables it to comprehensively investigate other key variables (apart from fees) impacting on professional service output quality.

Springer proceedings in business and economics, 2023

African Review of Economics and Finance, Dec 1, 2017

Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology

Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks, 2022

Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 2022

PurposeSeveral researchers in the construction industry have mentioned that quality of tender doc... more PurposeSeveral researchers in the construction industry have mentioned that quality of tender documents is declining without tangibly assessing quality. Similarly, in practice, no standardised instrument exists to assess tender document quality. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to develop a framework to assess the quality of tender documents produced by built environment professionals in the construction industry. A framework was chosen to address the gaps in theory and practice as it provides a flexible but structured mechanism to assess tender document quality.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology contained three stages, namely: multi-investigator triangulation, a workshop with infrastructure experts and framework development and validation. A consolidated list of key quality indicators was developed following the literature review and multi-investigator triangulation. The indicators were discussed with ten experts in the South African construction industry, who ...

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management, Procurement and Law, 2016

Much of the current literature on target cost contracts is approached from the perspective of the... more Much of the current literature on target cost contracts is approached from the perspective of the client–contractor relationship. While the financial risk of a project is shared between the parties, the share formula is predominantly set by the client, which demonstrates little evidence of collaboration. The contractor’s business risk is not explicitly taken into account outside of the fee percentage. However, from a contractor’s perspective, the risk in a target cost contract has to be taken into account on two levels: first, the shared risk of the target cost contract (i.e. the financial risk apportioned through the share formula) and, second, the contractor’s own risk in relation to their tender price (i.e. the business risk of the contractor that relates to their profit). The way that five NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract option C target cost contracts in South Africa actually concluded in practice was examined as a means to develop a better understanding of how risk a...

The scientific information published in peer-reviewed outlets carries special status, and confers... more The scientific information published in peer-reviewed outlets carries special status, and confers unique responsibilities on editors and authors. We must protect the integrity of the scientific process by publishing only manuscripts that have been properly peer-reviewed by scientific reviewers and confirmed by editors to be of sufficient quality. I confirm that all papers in the WABER 2017 Conference Proceedings have been through a peer review process involving initial screening of abstracts, review of full papers by at least two referees, reporting of comments to authors, revision of papers by authors, and reevaluation of re-submitted papers to ensure quality of content. It is the policy of the West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference that all papers must go through a systematic peer review process involving examination by at least two referees who are knowledgeable on the subject. A paper is only accepted for publication in the conference proceedings based on the ...

The main aim of this study was to ascertain and discuss the current challenges and opportunities ... more The main aim of this study was to ascertain and discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing construction contractors in Ghana. This involved a review of the economic, legal and political environments in which contractors in Ghana operate; a review of published studies on construction in developing countries generally and Ghana specifically; and in-depth interviews and discussions with seven building and civil engineering contractors in Ghana in 2009 and 2010. Six road contractors were also interviewed. The findings indicate significant challenges relating mainly to financing for projects and a harsh business environment. However, most contractors interviewed admitted to significant problems in their own organisations. It is clear that the contracting environment in Ghana is harsh particularly for local contractors who are often not paid on time and without compensation for late payment. However, local construction firms in Ghana who want to breakthrough ought to formulat...

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Management, Procurement and Law, 2020

The abolishment of the tariff of professional fees in the construction industry is a growing inte... more The abolishment of the tariff of professional fees in the construction industry is a growing international trend since the late 1980s. In recent years, this has become a topical issue among built e...

Good evening everybody. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, and the chance to address t... more Good evening everybody. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, and the chance to address this second transformational meeting of the Young Professionals and Youth Coalition (YPYC) initiative of Ghana. I would like to thank Andy Osei Okrah for leading this initiative and for his strong sense of leadership over the years. I would also like to thank everyone here for making it possible. I think it is important to have meetings like this one. One thing I have learned is that anytime people have come together to spend their time in noble initiatives like this, it often results in a force that can produce transformation. And so this evening I would like to talk about: “The role we can play as individuals to bring about transformational change in Ghana”. Looking at the situation in Ghana today, I am convinced that we need more people who can help to build a brighter future for the country.