The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has called on authorities to strictly enforce building regulations to halt the recent wave of structural collapses across the country.
According to the Service, recent investigations into these incidents show that building collapses are rarely isolated accidents. ADO II Desmond Ackah from the Public Relations Department noted that these disasters are almost always the result of a chain of human and regulatory failures.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, ADO II Ackah identified three main drivers of building collapses in Ghana: the use of inferior materials, disregard for regulatory permits alongside unauthorised vertical extensions, and a lack of professional oversight.
He explained that some developers and commercial manufacturers drastically compromise on material strength to maximize profit margins.
He emphasised that the use of unprofessional contractors and substandard materials severely compromises structures, underscoring the vital need for developers to secure building permits and avoid structural shortcuts to prevent such disasters.
While responding specifically to the recent building collapse at Avenor, the public relations officer stated that investigations into that particular matter are still ongoing.
However, he stressed that years of findings from similar incidents highlight a critical need for authorities to strictly enforce existing legislation.
He lamented that while Ghana boasts some of the finest laws, implementation and enforcement remain a challenge.
Consequently, he urged metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies to intensify their regulatory activities, while encouraging citizens to comply with the law when building, warning that the long-term cost of cutting corners is far too high.
In light of the ongoing rainy season, ADO II Ackah also admonished Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to utilize this period to conduct thorough structural evaluations.
He urged them to identify all compromised buildings, evacuate the occupants immediately, and proceed with demolition to avert further loss of life.
“There are several factors that contribute to structural collapse which includes the use of unprofessional contractors for projects, use substandard or Inferior building materials which compromises structures. It is important to recognise the need to take building Permits, avoid shortcuts during building in order to prevent such disasters.
“I have consistently stated that we have the finest laws in Ghana but implementation or enforcement of these laws remain a challenge. That is why I constantly called on the various Assemblies to intensify its regulatory activities to prevent such disasters. We also encourage Ghanaians to avoid shortcuts, work in line with the law when building because the cost involved in cutting corners in the long run will be costly.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
