[rev_slider alias=”HELP REDUCE THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION – ASENSO-BOAKYE TO ARCHITECTS”]
The Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has urged Architects to develop designs and construction methods that will maximize spaces and ultimately help to reduce the cost of construction in the country.
The sector Minister observed that expensive housing units in the city is as a result of the high cost of building materials which are mostly imported into the country, noting that the phenomenon has adversely affected government’s efforts in making affordable housing accessible to Ghanaians.
The Minister made these known at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Institute of Architects today in Accra.
Owing to the high cost of importation of building materials in the built industry, Asenso-Boakye reiterated the urgent need for Architects to find ways to develop homegrown solutions that will go a long way to address the excessive pricing of construction materials. The Minister further called for collaboration with institutions of higher learning to research into the right quality of local building materials that will help develop the building industry.
Hon. Asenso-Boakye commended Architects for their continuous role in designing communities through the provision of safe, functional and attractive habitats for the attainment of socio-economic growth of the country. To this end, the Minister urge the general public to engage only registered Architects and Firms for their building projects to develop resilient and aesthetically pleasant communities
Considering the trend of rapid urbanization that has gained prominence in discussions on human settlement development, the Minister emphasized the need for Architects to commence collaboration with key stakeholders within the built environment in researching into affordable and sustainable designs that are inclusive, meet the current urbanization challenges and ultimately address the needs of people in the society.
The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Ing. W. D. Alber Viala also charged Architects to extensively involve other built environment professionals to help alleviate building problems. He said involving the necessary professional on a building project can help minimize the environmental challenges which include the perennial flooding in the country.