Violations of Construction Standards Driving Building Collapses in Accra

A Road and Building Consultant, Ing. Abdulai Mahama, has attributed the recent spate of building collapses in Accra to widespread violations of approved construction standards, warning that shortcuts taken during construction continue to undermine structural safety.

His comments come in the wake of the collapse of a three-storey building at Avenor in North Kaneshie, where rescue operations remain ongoing and one death has so far been confirmed.

Speaking on the growing concerns over building safety in the capital, Ing. Mahama said the incidents are not isolated occurrences but rather the result of long-standing challenges within the construction sector.

“The assemblies would have their drawings properly approved, but when it comes to the execution of the construction, that is where some of the owners of the buildings decide to shortchange their own designs,” he stated.

According to him, while local authorities often undertake the necessary processes to approve building plans, some developers fail to adhere to the approved specifications during construction.

He explained that key structural components are frequently compromised to reduce costs, resulting in weakened buildings that may appear stable initially but become vulnerable over time.

“In terms of the number of iron rods they are supposed to put in the building and then the concrete mix, let’s say if I know that one cement bag is supposed to produce 30 blocks, people go and do 60 or 40 blocks with one cement bag,” he noted.

Ing. Mahama stressed that such practices significantly reduce the strength and durability of structures, increasing the likelihood of failure.

He also pointed to inadequate supervision and limited inspections by regulatory authorities as major contributing factors. According to him, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies are expected to conduct inspections at various stages of construction, but logistical and capacity constraints often hinder effective monitoring.

The consultant further highlighted the importance of conducting soil investigations before construction begins, especially for multi-storey buildings.

He warned that constructing on unsuitable ground without proper assessment could lead to foundation problems and eventual structural failure.

Additionally, he cautioned property owners against changing the intended use of buildings without professional redesign.

“Converting residential buildings into commercial facilities increases the load on the structure and can lead to cracks, column stress and eventual collapse if the necessary structural adjustments are not made,” he explained.

He called for stricter enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability among developers to prevent future tragedies.