The Ranking Member of Works and Housing Committee and Member of Parliament for Techiman South, Honourable Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah has called for a nationwide audit of building permits to strengthen compliance and improve public safety across the country.
Honourable Korsah said metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies should maintain accurate records of permits issued within their jurisdictions. He explained that such records would help authorities verify whether approved projects were being executed in accordance with approved specifications.
The Member of Parliament stressed that permit issuance alone could not guarantee safety. He noted that regular field inspections are necessary to ensure developers comply with approved designs and technical requirements.
According to the Ranking Member, assemblies should undertake district by district assessments to determine the number of permits granted and evaluate adherence to approved conditions. He added that structural integrity tests must become a key part of the monitoring process.
“Every assembly should have data on the permits issued within its mandate. We need to begin taking assembly audits district by district and ensure structural integrity tests are conducted.”
Honourable Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah
Meanwhile, he disclosed that the Works and Housing Committee intends to intensify oversight of buildings that have attracted public concern. The exercise, he said, would focus on structures identified through petitions and reports submitted by citizens.
Honourable Korsah indicated that the committee will plan nationwide visits to inspect selected buildings and recommend appropriate action where necessary. He added that parliamentary intervention alone could not address the growing challenge.
The Ranking Member therefore called on assemblies to strengthen their own inspection mechanisms. He observed that local authorities are the first line of defence in preventing unsafe developments.
Furthermore, he advocated increased investment in the operational capacity of assemblies. He explained that engineers and technical officers require adequate logistical support to monitor projects and enforce regulations effectively.
The Member of Parliament expressed concern about developments undertaken without permits. He stated that unauthorised construction continue to pose a serious threat to public safety and urban planning.
“If engineers sit at the assembly and are unable to follow up to the field, then we have a problem. Those structures being erected without permits are a very serious matter.”
Honourable Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah
He also linked the recurring incidents of flooding and structural failures to weaknesses in enforcement. In his view, strict adherence to existing regulations would significantly reduce risks associated with uncontrolled development.
Honourable Korsah urged the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to work closely with assemblies in reviewing permit enforcement systems. He said stronger supervision and accountability would help safeguard lives and property across the country.
Flooding Crisis Demands Urgent Enforcement and Project Action
Speaking on the issue of the floods and the Avenor incident, Honourable Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah extended condolences to families affected by recent disasters. He said the country is witnessing increasingly severe consequences as flooding incidents evolve from property damage to building collapses.
The Ranking Member observed that existing laws and regulations are adequate in many respects. He however argued that enforcement is the greatest challenge confronting authorities.
According to the Member of Parliament, some developers proceed with projects without obtaining permits while others depart from approved plans after receiving authorisation. He noted that instances existed where permits issued for single storey structures eventually resulted in the construction of much taller buildings.
The Ranking Member warned that such practices undermine safety standards and increase the likelihood of structural failures. He therefore called for closer monitoring of construction activities across the country.
He then called for the use of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development initiative, widely known as GARID. Honourable Korsah described the programme as a critical intervention designed to address persistent flooding within Accra and surrounding areas.
He recalled that the project commenced under the previous administration and involved substantial financing support from the World Bank. The Ranking Member attributed the recent flooding incidents to the stalled implementation of the GARID project despite its significance in addressing the problem.
Mentioning locations including Paloma, Odawna, Kaneshie and Weija, he explained that the Odaw River Basin is central to flood management efforts. He added that water from communities such as Teshie, Tema, La and Adenta eventually converge within the same drainage network before flowing into the sea.
“We need government to make do with the GARID project and let’s minimise these situations because it’s getting out of hand and it is unacceptable.”
Honourable Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah
Honourable Korsah stated that progress on the project could significantly reduce the impact of flooding in several communities. He urged authorities to prioritise implementation and ensure resources already secured for the programme are utilised effectively.
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