Architects body bemoan increasing sub-standard buildings in Kumasi

Kumasi, Dec. 18, GNA - Kumasi is gradually losing its distinct architectural character due to the lax attitude of building regulations, the Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has observed.

The Institute said even though it was becoming increasingly evident that most clients were persistently shying away from building professionals, who have been trained to ensure good practice and adherence to standards, nothing was being done to reverse the trend. Mr Ekwow Sampson, Northern Sector Chairman of the GIA, expressed these sentiments at the annual end-of-year party of the Institute in Kumasi on Saturday.

'We are appealing to the authorities of Kumasi to ensure that an effective monitoring and compliance of building regulations were enforced to curb buildings from collapsing in our city,=94 Mr Sampson remarked.

He emphasised the need for the involvement of architects, engineers and competent contractors during the pre and post construction process as a measure to ensuring that building projects were designed and supervised by qualified building professionals.

Mr Sampson announced that in view of the high rate of non-adherence to building regulations in the Ashanti region, in particular, his outfit was brainstorming with members of the design team, planners, contractors, manufacturers of building materials and community-based organisations to chart a new course towards the development of the industry in the region.

Dr Nii Evans-Anfom, President-elect of the GIA, disclosed that currently there were about 700 architects in the country with less than 500 of them actively practising.

This development, he said, was impacting negatively on efforts aimed at enhancing the development of architecture since only few members contribute to the financial commitments of the Institute, which is embarking on sensitisation programmes to inject sanity into the building industry.