Introduction

A Fellow of the Institute is the highest membership level in the Institute which qualifies a person to be considered as an authority in planning. A member of this category is analogous to a Professor within the academia or a Director in the public service or private sector. It is expected that a Fellow of the Institute should;

1. Present his / her views on planning knowledge as an authentic position,
2. Critique and develop planning skill set,
3. Provide leadership both within and outside the planning profession

Rights of Fellow of the Institute

1. A Fellow Member shall be entitled to use after his or her name the suffix FGIP (i.e., Fellow, Ghana Institute of Planning) and use before his or her name the prefix ‘Pln’ and be addressed as Planner;
2. Belong to the College of Fellows;
3. Represent the Institute on boards, councils and / or subject matters; and
4. Provide leadership and advise in planning subjects.

Qualification for Application for Fellow of the Institute

To qualify as a Fellow of the Institute, the Candidate must meet at least four of the following;

1. Corporate Member for least ten (10) years of being a member in good standing of the Institute;

2. Evidence of promoting the planning profession or meaningful contribution to works of the Institute;

3. Publication of at least five articles in the journal of the Institute (what about other planning or development-oriented journals);

4. Elected as a Vice President of the Institute

Mode of Entry to be a Fellow of the Institute

1. Recommendation from College of Fellows and National Executive Committee; and
2. Approval by National Executive Committee

Required Documents from Applicants to be Fellow of the Institute

1. Academic Certificate
2. Curricula Vitae
3. National Identification Card (Ghana Card, Passport, NHIS etc …)
4. Picture

Honorary Fellow Members shall be distinguished or eminent persons whose membership of the Institute shall in the opinion of the Council add prestige to or advance the interest of the Institute, and shall continue to be Honorary Fellow Members at the pleasure of the Council. Honorary Fellow Members shall not be eligible to vote at meetings of the Institute. Every appointment to Honorary Fellow shall be by invitation of the Council of the Institute.

Introduction

Corporate Membership category is the full membership level of the Institute which qualifies an individual to practice planning in Ghana within the limit of laws. A member of this category can be considered as an expert in the industry. It is expected that a corporate member of the Institute should be able to;

1. Advance new knowledge in planning,
2. Critique and develop planning skill set, and
3. Provide leadership both within and outside the planning profession.

Rights of Corporate Members

1. Entitled to use after his or her name the suffix MGIP (Member, Ghana Institute of Planning) or use before his or her name the prefix ‘Pln’ and be addressed as Planner
2. Undertake and endorse planning consultancies

Mode of Entry into Corporate Membership

1. Progress from Trainee Membership;
2. Pass membership examination;
3. Serve at least one year probation;

Qualification for Corporate Membership Application

1. Trainee Member of the Institute;

OR

A person may be considered for Corporate Membership of the Institute he or she meets any four of the following conditions;

Compulsory criteria

1. Have a least a first degree in Planning or related discipline;
2. Have worked for at least 15 years in the planning field;
3. Submit an article accepted for publication in the journal of the Institute; and

Either;

1. Develop a training module for Continuing Professional Development (CPD); OR
2. Undertake special assignment given by the Institute

Required Documents

1. Academic Certificate
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. NSS Certificate
4. National Identification Card (Ghana Card, Passport, NHIS)
5. Passport Photograph
6. Three (3) planning works

Introduction

Trainee Membership is the entry level for applicants with an academic qualification of at least a first degree. The purpose of this category is to serve as the professional training for candidates. It is expected that by the completion of this level, the individual should be able to;

1. acquire knowledge in planning,
2. develop / sharpen his or her planning skills, and
3. improve on his / her professional competencies

Rights of Trainee Members

1. Active participation in activities of the Institute except major decisions such as elections;
2. Assist Corporate Members or Fellows of the Institute in undertaking planning assignment;
3. Benefit from mentorship programmes;
4. Any other rights specified in the constitution of the Institute

Mode of Entry into Trainee Membership

1. Progression from Student membership of the Institute,

OR

 2. Passing of Trainee Membership Examination

Qualification to be Trainee Member

1. Student Membership certificate;
2. A minimum of first degree in planning; and minimum of one year working experience in the planning field (including national service);

OR

1. minimum of first degree in related discipline and at least three-year working experience in the planning field (including national service).

Required Documents

1. Academic Certificate
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. NSS Certificate
4. National Identification Card (Ghana Card, Passport, NHIS)
5. Passport Photograph

Introduction

Student membership is the avenue to bridge the gap between schooling and working life and serve as the link between theory and practice. It is expected that by completion of this level, the individual should be able to;

1. have a fair exposure to life after school,
2. develop his or her planning skills, and
3. develop professional attitude

Rights of Student Members

1. Benefit from the mentorship programme of the Institute
2. Receive assistance in internship placement
3. Participation in student programmes organized by the Institute

Mode of Entry

Direct application from students.

Qualification to be Student Members

1. A student must be undergoing a regular course of study in a recognized institution leading to the award of a degree in Planning in Ghana or in a Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) recognised country or institution.

       2. Student Membership may be extended for an additional one year upon application to the Council.

Required Documents

1. National Identification Card (Ghana Card, Passport, NHIS),
2. Student ID Card, and
3. Passport Picture

1. Passport Picture

Introduction

The Planning Technician category is for applicants who provide technical support services within the planning profession but without at a least first-degree academic certificate. The purpose of this membership category is to provide career guidance with respect to progression and capacity building. It is expected that the individual should be able to:

1. acquire basic knowledge in planning;
2. sharpen his or her planning skills, and;
3. improve on his / her professional attitude.

Rights of Planning Technicians

1. Entitled to use after his or her name the abbreviated designation TGIP (Planning Technician, Ghana Institute of Planning)
2. Undertake planning assignments for endorsement by Corporate Member or Fellow of the Institute
3. Qualify as a Junior and Middle Consultant.

Qualification for Planning Technician

1. To qualify for membership as a Planning Technician, a person must hold at a least Diploma in Planning or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Institute.

1. Persons with lower qualifications than the requirements specified above but who have been practising for at least 10 years qualify for membership into the Planning Technicians class.

1. Planning Technician Members shall be at least 28 years of age and shall have at minimum, five (5) years of working experience as a Planning Technician or in a relevant field.

Required Documents from Planning Technician Applicant

1. Academic Certificate
2. Curricula Vitae
3. Professional portfolio (3No.)
4. NSS Certificate (Optional)
5. Ghana Card Number
6. Passport Picture

Mode of Entry into Planning Technician

Cumulative score of 70% in Membership examination

Progression from Planning Technician

A Planning Technician Member of Institute who have obtained recognized first degree in planning qualify to be a Corporate Member. 

A Retired Member shall be a person who has attained the age of 65 and effectively retired from active professional practice. Retired Members may be exempt from the full requirements of the Continuing Professional Development. Retired Members may attend all General Meetings of the Institute and to speak at such meetings and have the right to vote. They shall be supplied with copies of the Institutes publications and may use the facilities of the Institute. The Council may accord to Retired Members any other privileges as it may decide from time to time. Every application for Corporate membership shall be subjected to the rules pertaining to entry qualifications, examinations and interview.