A group of Architects, the Architecture Alliance, has called on authorities to strictly enforce Ghana’s building laws and modernise construction practices to curb the recurring incidents of building collapses, fires and flood-related disasters across the country.
It described the frequent structural failures and disaster-related losses as evidence of a systemic failure in the enforcement of existing building regulations, warning that the situation had become a national safety crisis rather than a purely technical issue.
In an interview, the Co-founder and President of the group, Patience Ewurama Ocran, said that although Ghana had comprehensive laws governing the built environment, weak and inconsistent enforcement had rendered them ineffective.
She identified some of the laws to include the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), the Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority Act, 2016 (Act 925), the National Building Regulations, 2022 (LI 2465), and the Ghana Building Code.
“Every collapsed structure, every preventable fire, and every flood intensified by unlawful development carries the same painful message: laws exist, but enforcement is weak. Lives and property are being lost not because Ghana lacks regulations, but because those regulations are routinely ignored,” she said.
Statutory duty
Ms Ocran stressed that enforcing building regulations was a statutory duty, not an option, pointing to the roles of the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Local Government in providing policy direction and oversight, while metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) were legally mandated to issue permits, conduct inspections and halt illegal developments.
Despite these responsibilities, the statement noted that unapproved buildings continue to spring up, including in waterways and flood-prone areas, often without professional supervision.
It added that stop-work notices were frequently ignored, and demolitions usually occurred only after disasters had claimed lives.
She further warned that weak enforcement carried severe human and economic costs.
She noted that victims of building failures were often tenants, schoolchildren, worshippers and passers-by, while entire communities were displaced and government funds were diverted from development to emergency response and disaster relief.
“The enforcement of building regulations is not discretionary.
It is a legal obligation.
The Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Local Government play a pivotal role in policy direction, coordination, and oversight of Ghana’s built environment.
“At the operational level, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are mandated by law to regulate development, issue permits, conduct inspections, and halt illegal construction.
“Yet, across the country, unapproved developments continue to emerge openly—often in waterways, flood-prone zones, and without the involvement of qualified professionals.
Stop-work notices are ignored. Inspections are delayed or compromised.
Health and safety protocols are routinely violated.
Demolitions occur only after disaster strikes, when lives have already been lost.
“The consequences of inaction are severe and deadly.
Buildings erected without approved designs, proper supervision, or compliant materials are ticking time bombs.
When failure occurs, the victims are rarely the perpetrators.
They are tenants, schoolchildren, worshippers, workers and innocent passers-by,” Ms Ocran said.
Cost
The Architects Alliance co-founder said beyond the tragic loss of life, entire communities were often displaced, livelihoods disrupted, and families were left traumatised.
“Also, government resources are repeatedly diverted to emergency response and disaster relief—funds that could and should have been invested in prevention,” she said, stressing,
“This cycle of negligence is both costly and unacceptable.”
Modern construction practices
In resolving the challenge, Ms Ocran called for stronger institutional accountability, urging authorities to insulate enforcement processes from political interference and personal influence, strongly holding officers who failed to perform their duties accountable.
“A safe country begins with safe buildings and safety begins with enforcement,” she emphasised.
Beyond enforcement, the Alliance advocated the modernisation of construction practices through the adoption of digital tools, innovative building methods and sustainable materials to improve safety, resilience and efficiency.
She further called for the full digitisation of the building permit process to reduce delays, improve transparency and strengthen monitoring, also urging built environment professionals to uphold ethical standards and participate in continuous professional development, while encouraging the public to report unsafe and illegal developments.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh