VICE PRESIDENT LAUNCHES GHANA BUILDING CODE
His Excellency the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has launched the first-ever Ghana Building Code “GS1207-2018” in Accra.
Dr. Bawumia said the document covers essential areas necessary for the smooth and safe operation of the building and construction industry. He stated that the Code sets out requirements and recommendations for efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings and cover planning, management and practices in the construction of buildings.
The Vice President, expressed delight that finally, after decades of efforts, a standard document to regulate the activities of the building and construction industry has been produced, noting that the building construction in the country had over the years, been free for all, without any formalization because there had not been a comprehensive Building Code since independence.
According to him, the production and launch of the Code, is expected to bring to an end, the virtual ‘free-for-all’ in the building and construction industry and sets standards to ensure that Ghana’s built environment is safe and meets the international standards.
Dr. Bawumia called on all stakeholders to ensure that the document becomes a game-changer to ensure the safety of all public buildings and also bring about value for money.
The Hon. Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, who chaired the ceremony,
noted that it would be a waste of time if the Code is not enforced and emphasized the need to strengthen the enforcement regime for the country to reap the full benefits of the document.
On his part, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Standards Authority, Dr. Akwasi Acheampong, reiterated the need to make safety and the protection of life the hallmark of the country’s building industry.