General News
Architects Demand Urgent Reforms as Building Collapses Expose Regulatory Failures in Ghana
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.
General News
Investigative Journalism Under Siege as Corruption Becomes the New Normal – Nana Kwadwo Jantuah
Veteran journalist Nana Kwadwo Jantuah has raised concerns over the state of investigative journalism in Ghana, arguing that widespread corruption is making wrongdoing appear normal to the public.
Speaking on the challenges facing the media via a zoom meeting on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Jantuah said society has become so deeply affected by corruption that many questionable actions are now accepted by the masses without scrutiny.
According to him, powerful individuals often prioritize money above integrity, creating an environment where “every foul means” is used to accumulate wealth.
He also weighed in on recent comments by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) General Secretary, stating that while the official’s position is correct, some journalists are likely to oppose the move and criticize him for allegedly failing to meet what they describe as accepted professional standards.
Jantuah warned that investigative journalism is increasingly under pressure, stressing that journalists committed to exposing corruption must remain steadfast despite criticism and resistance.
He maintained that protecting ethical journalism is essential to safeguarding accountability and strengthening Ghana’s democracy
General News
Canceling Zoomlion Contract Was Reckless and Unsubstantiated – Andy Kankam Slams Government Over Accra Flood Crisis
Managing Editor of the Informer, Andy Kankam, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the recent flooding in Accra, describing the decision to terminate Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s sanitation contract as “reckless and unsubstantiated.”
Speaking on the aftermath of the devastating floods on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Kankam argued that the government’s response has failed to address the root causes of the disaster, insisting that the GHS150 million allocated for flood-affected communities is inadequate.
According to him, the President should have consulted engineers and technical experts before announcing relief measures to determine the cost of expanding drainage systems and creating effective flood channels, rather than relying on political decisions.
He also questioned the process that led to the release of the relief funds, asking what consultations were undertaken before the government approved nearly GHS200 million for flood victims.
Kankam further lamented the worsening sanitation situation in the capital, claiming that heaps of refuse remain uncollected because Zoomlion no longer has a contract to clean parts of the city.
He challenged authorities to identify which company currently has the capacity to replace Zoomlion’s nationwide sanitation operations, arguing that the contract termination has contributed to choked drains and poor waste management.
The media executive maintained that flood prevention requires long-term engineering solutions and effective sanitation management, rather than emergency political interventions after disasters occur.
By Maurice Otoo
General News
Ghana Armed Forces to Deploy Troops and Engineers for Nationwide Flood Recovery Operation
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will launch a nationwide operation to desilt major drains, rivers, and waterways in response to the severe floods that affected various regions of Ghana on June 28 and 29, 2026.
This initiative is part of the government’s flood recovery and mitigation efforts aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure and reducing the risk of future disasters. Military personnel, engineering units, and specialised machinery will be deployed to clear blocked drainage systems by removing silt, refuse, fallen trees, abandoned vehicles, collapsed structures, and other debris that obstructs the free flow of water.
At a press briefing in Accra on Friday, July 3, the Director General of Joint Operations at the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, stated that the initiative aims to reopen critical drainage channels and enhance public safety in flood-prone communities. He emphasised that roads, bridges, drains, and waterways clogged with debris would be cleared to restore normal movement and strengthen the country’s resilience against future flooding.
Brig. Gen. Okae-Yeboah also mentioned that authorities may remove buildings and other structures that have been illegally constructed within waterways or those deemed to pose an immediate danger to lives and property. He clarified that such actions will be taken in accordance with existing laws and in collaboration with the relevant civil authorities.
He urged individuals occupying drainage reserves and environmentally protected areas to cooperate with officials throughout the exercise to ensure its successful implementation.
The operation will be carried out through a coordinated effort involving several state institutions, including the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Health Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The government anticipates that this exercise will improve drainage systems, restore critical public infrastructure, and minimise the impact of future flooding across the country.
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