QUANTITY SURVEYING EDUCATION IN

GHANA
DR. EDWARD BADU, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., Ph.D., AGhIS, MGIOC, MCIOB, MFIG
Senior Lecturer, Department of Building Technology, KNUST, Kumasi

Mr. PETER AMOAH, BSc, MSc, AGhIS, MGIOC, MFIG, Lecturer, Department of Building
Technology, KNUST, Kumasi
Quantity surveying education in Ghana has always been British. The profession which began as a Building
Accountant course incorporated, with time, costing and allowed the Quantity Surveyor the performance of
the role of a cost advisor in Construction. The Quantity Surveyor, in present day construction industry,
uses his ability to analyse cost components of a construction project in a scientific way and apply the
results of his analysis to a variety of financial and economic problems confronting the developer and the
designer. The study sought to appraise the educational system in the country with regards to the Quantity
Surveying profession. It identified three phases in the educational system in the country; they were the
Second cycle, Tertiary and Post tertiary educational phases where relevant courses inculcate the necessary
skill into aspirants of the Quantity Surveying profession. Samples of clients, consultants and contractors
and all members of the industry were surveyed, using structured interviews with the aim of identifying the
most important features of the educational system and the inherent problems that require immediate
attention. Sampled opinions were analyzed and a critical assessment given to the kind of education
affecting the Quantity Surveying profession. The role of the Quantity surveyor is redefined in the light of
the educational system received.
Keywords: Quantity surveyor, Cost advisor, Construction, educational system

INTRODUCTION
The list of abandoned projects in the

contractor

country is endless. Main causes of such

overemphasized. The need therefore

actions normally are cost and time

arises for a professional whose job will

overruns

be to give judicial advice on cost

caused

by

delays,

or

developer

cannot

be

and

aspects. A quantity surveyor by virtue

cash flow problems etc. The cost

of specialist training and experience is

implications

able

underestimation,
to

overestimation,
both

client

and

to

advice

on

project

cost,

expenditure and also ensure that the

There are several options in the Quantity

financial provisions of the contract are

Surveying field. One could be a project

properly

manager,

interpreted

and

applied,

contractor,

or

clients

prepares interim valuation and final

Quantity surveyor. The nature of the

account. A quantity surveyor is a

profession in all these fields requires

professional in the construction industry

primarily a fair extent of knowledge in

who has the ability to analyze both cost

both design and economics of the

components

construction

and

practical

physical

market.

The

required

construction works of a project in a

training to enable the performance of

successful way so as to be able to apply

such a role begins during the second

the results of his analysis in solving

cycle institution phase, now the senior

problems peculiar to each project. The

secondary school system where various

introduction of the Professional Bodies

subjects in the sciences, technical as

Registration Decree 1973 (National

well as some general arts with emphasis

Redemption Council Decree No. 143,

in

Section 18:20) allowed only those

necessary knowledge for application in

belonging to the Quantity Surveying

the Tertiary phase. Another trend is

division of the Ghana Institution of

achieved

Surveyors

Vocational Institution in the country.

to

practice

Quantity

elective

mathematics

through

provide

Technical

and

Surveying in Ghana.
A Ghana Education Service release
Qualification is on the basis of passing

confirms about twenty Technical and

professional examinations administered

Vocational Institutions in the country.

by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors

(Ministry of Education Ghana, 2000).

which is developed along the lines of a

The idea with this system is to escape

parent professional body- the Royal

the degeneration of education into

Institute of Chartered Surveyors or the

mindless book learning (Hegarty 1976)

Institute of Quantity Surveyors. Bearers

and hence obtain technical knowledge,

of

which will enable them to offer the best

degree

Technology

course
undertaken

in

Building
by

the

practical service to clients. In this case

University of Science and Technology

distinguish between good work and bad

are qualified to take the examinations.

work and be encouraged to do the

former (Schumacher 1977).

The system of education includes a

school (at the end of which pupils took

formal system of training in a Technical

the

school and Polytechnic where after

Council's GCE "O" Levels) and two-

successful passage through the levels of

year of sixth form (ending with the

training (Intermediate level - Advanced

WAEC's GCE "A" Levels), was phased

level grade 1) one obtains the City and

out.

Guild certificate at those various levels.

At the basic level, the new system

The emphasis here is practical training

consists of six years primary education

and hence the professional who goes

and three years of junior secondary

through this system is made capable to

school, at the end of which pupils sit for

play his/her role with full understanding

the

of current construction practices applied.

Examination (BECE).

West

African

Basic

Examinations

Education

Certificate

This Education Reform Programme

launched in 1987 changed the structure

The quantity surveyor is a necessary

of the education system from the former

resource professional for any country.

statutory 17 years of pre-university

His role to the national economy cannot

schooling to 12 years. English is the

be overemphasized for example when

one

considers

infrastructure
Governments

the

to

meet

initiative

provision

medium of instruction in all schools in

of

the

Ghana

to

achieve

Ghana. Ghana has 12,130 primary

schools, 5,450 junior secondary schools,
503

middle income level status by the year

senior

training

2020.

secondary

colleges,

schools,
18

21

technical

institutions, two (2) diploma-awarding

institutions and 11 universities serving a

BASIC EDUCATION

population of about 20 million; this

In Ghana, children spend nine (9) years

means

from Nursery through the Primary

that

most

Ghanaians

have

relatively easy access to good education

school. From 1987 the emphasis has

in contrast to the time of independence

been on "Basic" education. What this

in 1957 (Ministry of Education)

means is that education is compulsory

and free for children from the ages of 6

SECONDARY EDUCATION

to 15. The old system, which offered up

The junior secondary school education

to twelve years of primary education,

can be followed by three years' senior

followed by five years of secondary

3

secondary education at the end of which

The new Education Reform Programme

students take the Senior Secondary

has been designed to be practically

School

Examination

oriented with skills development from

(SSSCE). Other alternatives include

the JSS level through SSS up to tertiary

attending a technical or vocational

level. The necessary skills inculcated in

institution or joining the labour market.

the pupil whose attention was much

The average age range of students in the

directed towards Social studies and the

Senior Secondary School is 14 - 19

Sciences veers him /her towards the

years.

Quantity Surveying direction.

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

The

School

At the completion of basic education,

curriculum comprises Core subjects and

the pupils should have been exposed to

Elective subjects. Every student offers

technical and vocational skills, which

the four core subjects, which are:

should later be improved upon in

English

Mathematics,

vocational schools, technical institutes,

Integrated Science (including Science,

secondary, technical school, polytechnic

Agriculture and Environmental Studies)

or university levels. However, this

and Social Studies (formerly Life Skills

concept has still not been fully put into

and embracing Economics, Geography,

practice.

Certificate

Senior

Secondary

Language,

History and Government).

The content of the vocational and
In addition to the Core subjects, students

technical subjects (in JSS and SSS) and

are required to offer at least three

courses

electives from a particular programme.

continues to be almost all theoretical

There are five programmes namely:

with little or no practical activity.

Agriculture

Programme,

(in

technical

institutes)

General

Programme (Arts or Science option),

A major deficiency in the Education

Business

Vocational

Reform Programme is the lack of skills

Programme and Technical Programme.

development even if at varying levels of

A choice of the General and Technical

emphasis. The lack of teaching/learning

programme

time allocation and resources as well as

Programme,

is

prerequisite

for

the

Quantity Surveying profession.

that

of

qualified

and

experienced

technical/vocational teachers are the

4

major causes of this deficiency. Another

Technician

major drawback is the lack of linkages

requires two years of study. The Higher

between

Technician Diploma requires a further

the

different

levels

of

education.

Diploma

(OTD),

which

two years of study following the OTD.

Graduates

of

these

programs

are

TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL

qualified to work in local industry.

EDUCATION

Specialized

Aspiring Quantity Surveyors can pursue

institutions include Ghana Institute of

technical education at any of the

Management and Public Administration

following

(GIMPA) and Institute of Professional

institutions:

secondary

technical schools, vocational centers,

post-secondary

technical

Studies (IPS).

polytechnics, technical institutes and

technical teacher education colleges and

TERTIARY EDUCATION

universities. Technical institutes offer

Higher education in Ghana is provided

several programs: pre-technical courses,

by Universities, University colleges,

general technical courses and craft

polytechnics and pre-service training

courses.

institutes. All institutions of higher

education fall under the jurisdiction of

The general Technical courses offered in

the

National

Council

for

Tertiary

Engineering Technology and Building,

Education, which is administered by the

require two-years of full-time study and

Ministry of Education. The polytechnics

a Pre-technical course. The craft courses

are currently being upgraded and will

also offered in Engineering Technology

soon be authorized to offer university-

and Building, take two years to complete

level courses, in this regard with the

and lead to examinations of the City and

offer of a Bachelor of Science on

Guilds of London Institute awards or

completion.

local examinations. Graduates of the

Entrance requirements for Bachelor

craft courses then can go on to

degree programs were five credits at O

apprenticeships or to the Polytechnics

level, plus two or three A levels under

for advanced craft courses.

the old system. For applicants who have

taken the Senior Secondary Certificate

Polytechnics offer programs leading to

Examination under the current system, a

the City and Guilds of London Institute

University Entrance Examination may

overseas

awards

of

the

Ordinary
5

be

required. The

Students

The definition of a Polytechnic clearly

Entrance Examination is an alternative

identifies the role of polytechnics as

admission requirement for members of

covering a broad range of activities

the industry who might have risen up

including research (and particularly

through craft courses pursued at the

applied and technological research), a

Polytechnic level.

provider

Bachelor

degree

Mature

programs

at

using

the

protected

term

polytechnic or institute of technology

the

have

University of Science and Technology

its

activities

comprehensive

take four years.

classified

teaching;

as:

community

education and training; and/or industry

POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION

or professional education and training

Every Government sees polytechnics as

(in at least four fields).

critical to the knowledge society. Far too

In addition, a polytechnic or institute of

often the focus of discussion of the

technology might also have some of its

knowledge society has been exclusively

activities classified as:

on a handful of scientists and managers

who are seen as making the key
decisions for developing the economy.
The role of polytechnics in Ghana
reflects

the

Polytechnic

definition
Education,

learning and assessment support;

specialist teaching; and/or

specialist teaching and research

to

(in areas where the polytechnic

which

or institute of technology offers

given

post-graduate programmes).

emphasizes diversity, vocational training

and promoting community learning. The

The polytechnics were created to focus

object of integrating Polytechnic training

their

with on-site training is to achieve a

specialisation, and hence discouraged

national benchmark of skill level for

from undertaking activities that are more

tradesmen coming into the industry. For

effectively

every polytechnic these should take

providers. The Polytechnics in the

precedence over the provision of the sort

country offer a wide range of courses

of degree programmes that aim to

which have varied application in the

emulate or compete with the universities.

construction industry especially in the

efforts

on

carried

their

out

field of Quantity Surveying.

areas

by

of

other

Charge Hand/Sub Foreman, Contract

Quantity Surveying option and the

Foreman, Contracts Supervisor, Project

second,

Management, Estimating and Quantity

option. It was realized after a few years

Surveying become the roles into which

however that there was a drift towards

the Polytechnic seeks to model its

the Quantity Surveying option. Majority

students.

in

of the candidates, about 80% 90%,

management skills, dispute resolution,

opted for Quantity Surveying. Those

basic planning and programming skills

who chose the other alternative later on

inculcates the proven ability and skill at

became participants of the Quantity

working to deadlines and construction

Surveying option.

programmes,

options to create the required balance

organising

Training

courses

liaising

with

sub-contractors,

and

problem

the

Building

Management

A merger of both

was considered after careful thought.

solving and decision-making. The future

Quantity Surveyor at the Polytechnic

The general courses offered included

level obtains knowledge of the realities

Materials and Construction, Theory of

of the industry and obtains skills in

Structures, Measurement of Construction

computer and analytical, negotiation,

works,

arbitration and mediation skills.

Laboratory/ Workshop practice, Contract

Building

Administration
education

in

Professional

Practice, Building Maintenance, and

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
University

and

management,

Quantity

Building Economics.

Surveying is mainly provided by the

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science

The Quantity Surveying option at the

and Technology. The Department of

final year level involved basically an

Building Technology of the Faculty of

advanced quantity surveying course. The

Environmental and Development studies

Building Management option involved a

has

course in Quantitative Techniques in

the

responsibility

of

training

qualified persons in the discipline of

Management.

Other

such

elective

Quantity Surveying.

courses included Advanced Construction

Technology and Advanced Building

The

Department

started

producing

Structures.

Students,

in

partial

graduates in 1966. The course structure

requirement for the completion of the

prepared then allowed for graduation in

course,

either of two options. The first was the

investigate and prepare reports on

7

were

required

to

identify,

current problems in the construction

Lectures/ Exams

Project work.

industry.
A systematic study of the construction
The merging of the options however did

cycle is achieved in the first two

not come without any disadvantage. The

semesters with lectures and tutorials and

in-depth knowledge associated with

course works. The incorporation of

specialization and the emphasis required

seminars also encourages the exchange

for careful detail to specifics became

of ideas between course participants.

absent. The idea now is to consider

Written examination at the end of each

making either of the options Bachelor of

semester of the first year and a

Science degree course.

continuous assessment of course work is

basis for assessment. The Project work is

The department has since its inception

undertaken as a research work leading to

graduated over 450 high-level personnel

an externally and internally examinable

for the construction industry in Ghana.

thesis. The thesis always requires oral

Out of this only a handful have had the

defense.

opportunity of undertaking postgraduate

studies- mainly in universities overseas

The timing for the project work is either

at considerable cost to the Ghanaian tax

full time where the participant stays on

payer. (MSc. Construction Management

campus and completes his project in one

Brochure). A Masters programme has

year of continuous study. Or else the

therefore been established to assist many

student can return to normal employment

graduates to realize their goals of

at the end of the first year taught course

furthering their studies.

and undertake the project over a twoyear period.

MASTERS PROGRAMME
The programme is an MSc. Course in

The courses taught include Managerial

Construction Management. The course

Economics,

commenced in 1997. The diagram below

Management, Computer Applications,

illustrates the course structure.

Statistical

Methods,

research,

Marketing,

First two semesters Last two or four

Project

Resource
Operational
Research

Methodology, Project Administration,

semester

Project

cost

Management,

Project

Planning and Control and Construction

The

syllabus

offers

three

other

law.

alternative routes towards membership.

They are:

It

is

opened

Engineers,

to

Architects,

Quantity

Civil

Surveyors

and

OPTION 1
Stage 1: Register as a student (Have

Building Technologists.

credits in five subjects) two of which

MEMBERSHIP

OF

must be Advanced levels; Mathematics

GHANA

INSTITUTION OF SURVEYORS;

or Science and English inclusive;

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

OR

Entry into corporate membership of the

In case of Technician, one Advanced

Ghana

Level

Institution

regulated

by

of
test

Surveyors
on

is

Practical

Stage 2: Take Intermediate Examination

Application of Quantities. The test

Stage 3: Take Final Examination

comprises four written papers in the

Stage 4: Take Test of Professional

areas of:

Competence (Candidate to fill Log Book

Measurement;

Working 3 years in an approved office

Building Economics;

and answer a practical problem related to

Professional Practice procedure;

the aspect of professional practice).

and

Building Contracts, Claims and

The

Intermediary/Final

Examination

Arbitration

including written tests in Construction

Technology, Construction Management/

A candidate must score an average of 55

Economics, Construction/ Valuation and

marks and not less than 45 marks in any

Law/ Arbitration.

of the four papers. The conditions set for

eligibility are that he/she must register

OPTION 2

first as a probationer with the institution

Direct Membership Option Candidates

and then undergo training in an approved

must be 35 years or over and with 15

office for two years after he/she has

years experience and who in the opinion

completed his/ her National Service.

of Council have attained a broad range

of Quantity Surveying experience in
majority of the following areas: -

a) Design Cost Advice and Cost

A Major reform of the structure of Royal

Planning

Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

b) Pre-contract work

of which the Ghana Institution of

c) Early Advice to Clients

Surveyors (GhIS) is a member in 2001

If accepted, the Candidate shall take a

brought an end to the traditional 7

written examination in: -

divisions of membership, which were

a) Tendering and Pricing

Building Surveying

b) Construction Cost Management

General Practice

c) Organisation Management and

Geomatics (Formerly Land And

Finance

Hydrographic Survey)

d) Law and Arbitration

On being successful he shall enroll for

Minerals

And

Environmental

Management

the Test of Professional competence,

Planning And Development

which is same as for Option 1.

Quantity Surveying

Rural

OPTION 3
Council granting full exemption to

An RICS report identified the Core

candidate with Diplomas/ Degrees from

Skills and Knowledge Base of The

accredited Institutions. This candidate

Quantity Surveyor (1992) to include

enters only for the test of Professional

Competence.

the Polytechnics as Technicians. The

compiled

by

of
the

new

Council

syllabus
of

the

Institution, however, could create the

Institution.

THE

Measurement

rules

Construction economics

Financial management

Business administration

Construction law

that included: -

to become a corporate member of the

OF

and

The report also identified a skill base

opportunity for the Polytechnic graduate

ROLE

Construction technology
conventions

The Institution regards graduates from

implementation

QUANTITY

SURVEYOR
10

Management

Documentation

Analysis

Appraisal

Quantification

Synthesis

The distinctive skill of a Quantity

Communication

Surveyor lies in his/her ability to analyse

a project using the above knowledge and
apply it to the following areas: -

Construction Cost And Price

progress and making recommendations

Forecasting

as to payments to be made to the

Procurement Advice

contractor including advising on the

Contract Administration

financial aspects of variations. The

object of study of Quantity surveying

Measurement which for some years ago

also enables one to prepare final

was the foremost discipline is now no

accounts on completion of final contract

longer considered a core skill but rather

works and also give advice on the

responsible

financial and contractual aspects of

for

unique

analytical

contractors claims.

abilities. It became considered as a

technical process that underlies all QS
functions. Measurement itself however

The Contractors Quantity surveyor on

was

the other hand engages him or herself in

comprehensive understanding of the

the preparation of BOQs for small

subjects

than

contracts, agrees on measurements with

standing as an academic subject in its

the clients contractor for any specific

own right.

project. He also collects information

found

to

listed

rely

more

above,

on

rather

about cost of various operations or

There are two kinds of Quantity

method of construction from which the

Surveyors. They are the Clients QS and

contractor can prepare future estimates.

the Contractors QS. The responsibilities

of

the

clients

QS

include

The contractors QS also assist in the

the

preparation of Bills of Quantities and the

preparation

giving of advice on what a project would

schemes and also does cost control at the

cost. He/she also does cost planning

construction stage based on the budget

during the design stage of a project,

and actual cost. This is done in a bid to

examines tenders, prices quantities and

know possible effects on cash flow of

reports

also

discrepancies that may arise between the

negotiates rates with contractor on

actual and the budgeted. Finally he/she

negotiated contracts, valuing work in

also prepares the project report and

his/her

findings.

S/he

11

of

production

bonus

assists the contractor in his management

Country Profiles: Ghana; prepared by National

scheduling plans.

Office of Overseas Skills Recognition; Australia;

1993
Hubert O. Quist; Prospects, "Secondary ducation
in Ghana at the Dawn of the Twenty-first

CONCLUSION

Century September 1999.

Our learning institutions are key centers

for

developing

and

fostering

International Association of Universities and

the

Association of African Universities; Guide to

necessary manpower needed to achieve

Higher Education in Africa; Great Britain; 1999

a better society. The Quantity surveying

Julius Kwasi Krampah, 1973. Project work; The

profession is crucial to achieving a better

Quantity surveyor in the Construction Industry,

society as the role of the Quantity

Department of Building Technology, KNUST.

surveyor is directly linked to the

Kwadzo Honoabu, Quantity Surveying Practice

provision of a particular basic human

in

Ghana;

review

of

the

evolution,

need shelter. The training outlined

Development, Education and training of the

above will ensure that the QS is

Quantity Surveyor, 1998, The Ghana Engineer.

effective in the provision of services

Polytechnics in the Emerging System: Address to

required of him.

the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education- Te

Hau Takitini o Aotearoa 2000 Conference.
The British Council; International Guide to

REFERENCES

Qualifications in Education; Great Britain; 1996

Alison Girdwood,Tertiary education policy in

Ghana,

An

Assessment:

1988

Terry Acquah 1978, Project work- The Quantity

1998,

surveyor,

Commonwealth secretariat.

1,

Technology, KNUST

An RICS report - The Core Skills and Knowledge

Base of The Quantity Surveyor(1992)
Charles A. Lokko, 1999, Project Work; The work
of a Quantity surveyor and clients demand,
Department of Building Technology, KNUST.

12

Department

of

Building