The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is exploring opportunities for collaboration with the government to safeguard and sustainably manage national properties.
This came to light when the association paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui.
During the visit, the Global Chair of IFMA, Christa Dodoo, highlighted the association’s support for governments worldwide in strengthening facility management systems.
She cited successful examples from Nigeria and Singapore, where institutions have been established to regulate facility management practices.
She noted that Ghana already has the Public Works Department (PWD), which, if empowered, could play a stronger role in ensuring the effective management of public facilities.
“You cannot downplay the role of facility management. IFMA Ghana must intensify its advocacy to create more awareness of the profession’s importance,” Dodoo stressed.
The Deputy Minister expressed government’s appreciation, underscoring the crucial role facility management plays in national development. Drawing from her experience in the construction of Kotoka International Airport’s Terminal 3, she pointed to the significant contribution of facility management in ensuring the project’s success.
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IFMA Ghana presented proposals on how it can support government in achieving its infrastructure goals, while outlining areas where government’s partnership is needed.
The association stressed that safeguarding Ghana’s infrastructure requires shared responsibility between policymakers and professionals.
As part of the engagement, IFMA Ghana called for the integration of facility management policies into infrastructure planning and budgeting to ensure that public projects are not only well-built but also properly maintained throughout their lifecycle.
The association also proposed the establishment of a national facility management framework for public assets, which would provide clear standards and guidelines for managing the nation’s buildings and infrastructure.
Additionally, IFMA Ghana urged government to mandate facility management roles in all public infrastructure projects, ensuring that every new asset has professional oversight from design through to operations.
According to the association, these measures would not only protect Ghana’s investments in infrastructure but also generate long-term cost savings, improve service delivery, and ensure that public facilities continue to serve generations to come.
SP/MA
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