On October 7, 2026, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama addressed the National Conference on Housing Finance, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations by district assemblies. He expressed concern over continued construction of buildings despite stop-work orders issued by local authorities. The President questioned why construction was allowed to continue after authorities had marked buildings with red paint to indicate that work should cease.
President Mahama directed the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, to ensure that officials responsible for enforcing building safety regulations are held accountable when buildings collapse. He stressed that public officials tasked with ensuring compliance with building standards must be identified and sanctioned if they fail to perform their duties. This move aims to establish accountability whenever structural failures occur.
The President's comments come amid concerns over building collapses in Ghana, with over 75 such incidents estimated to have occurred across the country over the past five years. An estimated one to three multi-storey building failures are also recorded annually. These statistics highlight the need for strengthened enforcement of building regulations, particularly at the district assembly level, where permits are issued and compliance with safety requirements is monitored.
President Mahama emphasized that the Ministry of Local Government should take enforcement of building regulations seriously. If a house collapses, he said, it must be determined whose duty it was to ensure that the house was safe, and that person must be sanctioned. The President's directive aims to prevent such incidents by ensuring that officials responsible for building safety are held accountable for their actions.
Beyond structural safety, President Mahama called for broader measures to improve housing conditions, particularly in deprived communities. He identified overcrowding in slums, insecure land tenure, poor sanitation, and limited access to utilities as challenges requiring urgent attention. The President stressed that homes built must be safe, accessible, and connected to jobs and essential services.
The National Conference on Housing Finance provided a platform for President Mahama to address critical issues related to housing and building safety in Ghana. His directive to Minister Ayariga underscores the government's commitment to addressing the challenges associated with building collapses and improving housing conditions. The Ministry of Local Government is expected to play a crucial role in implementing these measures.
The enforcement of building regulations is expected to be strengthened at the district assembly level, where permits are issued and compliance with safety requirements is monitored. This move is anticipated to reduce the incidence of building collapses and improve the overall safety of buildings in Ghana. The President's initiative has been welcomed as a step towards ensuring that buildings in Ghana meet safety standards.
Key points
- President Mahama orders sanctions for officials who fail to enforce building safety rules.
- Over 75 building collapses have occurred in Ghana over the past five years.
- The President calls for broader measures to improve housing conditions in deprived communities.
