The Ghana Institution of Engineering(GhIE) has attributed the recent increase in building collapses across the country to the execution of construction projects without proper professional supervision.
According to the Institution, preliminary investigations into recent incidents at Adenta, Newtown, and Avenor indicate a recurring trend of developers disregarding stop-work and no-building directives issued by relevant authorities.
Speaking at a press conference, the Chair of the Structures Sub Division of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing. Joshua Allotey, expressed concern over what he described as the growing disregard for building regulations, warning that the trend continues to endanger lives and property.
“Our investigations reveal that many of the collapsed buildings were constructed without adequate professional supervision. A key challenge within the sector is the circumvention of established building processes by some developers,” he said.
He explained that by law, developers are required to obtain building permits supported by approved technical drawings and to await formal authorisation before commencing construction.
He further noted that once permits are granted, the Head of Works is expected to be notified to assign a representative to monitor each stage of the project.
“In practice, however, developers often assume the role of project managers and engage artisans directly. That is not to say artisans are not crucial in our built environment. They are important, but they are not a substitute for licensed engineers and architects,” he added.
