Architects in Ghana are calling for sweeping reforms in the country’s construction sector, including mandatory structural audits for long-abandoned buildings and the deployment of qualified professionals to district assemblies, amid rising concerns over recurring building collapses.

The President of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Tony Asare, has warned that persistent gaps in regulation and enforcement continue to endanger lives.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM on March 30, 2026, Mr Asare said repeated structural failures point to systemic weaknesses in supervision, enforcement, and professional capacity at the local government level.

“This country must take the safety of its people seriously. We keep asking ourselves why this keeps reoccurring,” he said.

His comments follow the collapse of an uncompleted multi-storey building at Accra New Town on March 29, which claimed three lives and left several others injured.

Call for Mandatory Structural Audits

Mr Asare stressed the urgent need for structural integrity assessments of buildings left uncompleted for long periods, noting that prolonged exposure to weather conditions can significantly weaken their stability.

He expressed concern that many such structures are being repurposed for religious and commercial activities without undergoing proper safety checks.

According to him, building permits typically expire after five years, after which assemblies are expected to demand structural audits before renewal.

“If a building is sitting there, usually the permit expires after five years. As part of the re-permitting process, the assembly demands a structural audit before a new permit is issued. Are we taking these decisions?” he queried.

He added that any decision to demolish abandoned buildings should be guided by technical assessments rather than blanket enforcement measures.

Shortage of Qualified Professionals

The GIA President also highlighted a critical shortage of architects within district assemblies, which are responsible for enforcing building regulations nationwide.

“We have 261 assemblies. There are only about 10 architects. Who does the architectural work? Somebody is playing a role the person is not qualified to carry out,” he said.

He noted that although assemblies are mandated to oversee development control, the absence of a legal requirement to maintain adequate technical staff undermines effective supervision.

Concerns Over Use of Incomplete Structures

Mr Asare questioned the growing trend of using uncompleted buildings for public activities, particularly for worship and commercial operations, without proper certification.

“Before you can occupy a building, you need a certificate of habitation. Is it permissible for a building that is not fully completed to be used for such purposes?” he asked.

He further warned that buildings designed for specific purposes are often repurposed without proper structural reassessment.

Regulatory and Workmanship Gaps

Addressing broader regulatory challenges, Mr Asare said current laws place significant responsibility on developers, allowing them to engage unqualified workers with limited oversight.

“If the developer picks somebody who is not competent, the law cannot do much about it,” he said.

He revealed that the institute is preparing proposals to amend building regulations to strengthen accountability and enforcement mechanisms.

Material Quality Under Scrutiny

Mr Asare also raised concerns about the quality of construction materials on the market, particularly reinforcement bars, which he said are sometimes below standard specifications despite being advertised otherwise.

While the Ghana Standards Authority is mandated to regulate material quality, he noted that capacity constraints hinder effective monitoring.

Call for Comprehensive Review

He concluded by urging a comprehensive review of how institutions enforce construction standards, warning that the absence of qualified professionals in assemblies poses a serious risk to public safety.

“If you go to the assembly and there is no architect and there is no engineer, who supervises the building?” he asked.

Reiterating his call, Mr Asare said Ghana must urgently prioritise building safety to prevent further tragedies.

Ghanaian anti-narcotics authorities have intercepted a significant maritime drug consignment off the coast of Ada in the Greater Accra Region, in what officials say is part of a stepped-up crackdown on narcotics smuggling along the country’s coastline.

The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) confirmed it has taken custody of 37 sacks of substances suspected to be cannabis, following a joint operation with the Ghana Navy conducted on Friday, March 27, at Goi, near Ada.

Preliminary examination of the seized consignment suggests each sack contains an estimated 70 parcels of the suspected drug pointing to a haul of potentially thousands of parcels likely destined for distribution networks.

Beyond the narcotics, operatives recovered items believed to have facilitated the smuggling run: two gallons of premix fuel, five empty gallons, and an outboard motor. A canoe used in the operation was also impounded and officially handed over to NACOC alongside all related exhibits.

In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, NACOC said investigations have been launched to identify and apprehend all individuals linked to the foiled smuggling attempt. No arrests have been announced at the time of this report.

The interdiction underscores growing concern over Ghana’s coastal corridors being exploited as drug trafficking routes, with authorities signalling that maritime surveillance and enforcement operations will continue to be intensified.

Thousands of grief-stricken mourners gathered at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra on Saturday to bid a final farewell to brothers Frank Amoaning Donkor and Elijah Ofori Donkor, whose lives were cut short in a devastating microlight aircraft crash nearly two weeks ago.

The solemn burial service, held on March 28, followed a brief laying-in-state earlier in the morning. A church service filled with prayers, hymns, and quiet reflection preceded the interment, as family, friends, and sympathisers struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss. The overwhelming turnout underscored the deep national sorrow that has followed news of the tragedy.

Senior government officials, Members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle, and other dignitaries joined ordinary citizens in mourning, reflecting the widespread impact of the incident since it occurred on March 16.

The brothers were the only occupants aboard a microlight aircraft, registration number 9G-ADV, which crashed near a school park at Tema Community One while en route from Ho to Accra. Emergency responders confirmed both men died at the scene after the aircraft burst into flames upon impact.

Authorities reported that the aircraft lost radio contact shortly before the crash, at approximately 14:18 Zulu time. Firefighters who arrived at the scene revealed that teachers and pupils at a nearby daycare facility had evacuated just in time, narrowly averting further tragedy.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with officials yet to determine what led to the fatal incident. The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has pledged to provide updates as inquiries continue.

At the funeral grounds, an atmosphere of deep sorrow prevailed. Mourners, many clad in black, filed past in silence to pay their last respects, while gospel songs echoed through the venue, capturing both grief and hope.

In a statement issued ahead of the burial, the bereaved families described the brothers as “bright lights” whose absence has left an immeasurable void.

“Our hearts are heavy, but we are sustained by the kindness of the nation,” the statement read.

They also expressed gratitude to the public and state institutions for their support, and acknowledged the efforts of emergency responders, including the Ghana National Fire Service and aviation investigators, who managed the aftermath of the crash.

As the nation continues to mourn, the loss of the two brothers remains a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring weight of tragedy.