Works and Housing Minister inaugurates three boards, urges strict standards enforcement

The Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, on Monday, inaugurated the governing boards of three key institutions under his ministry, charging them to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s built environment.

The newly inaugurated boards are those of the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the Engineering Council, and the Architect Registration Council (ARC).

The Minister, addressing board members at the ceremony, called for robust regulatory oversight and strict adherence to professional standards across the sector.

Touching on the recent spate of building collapses, urban flooding, and unchecked developments disfiguring cityscapes, the Minister urged the ARC Board to take immediate steps to enforce the National Building Code and all relevant architectural regulations.

He stressed the importance of professionalism and vigilance in architectural practice, warning that lax oversight was contributing to dangerous developments in urban areas.

For the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the Minister underscored the urgency of developing a comprehensive, strategic, and actionable plan to combat persistent challenges such as coastal erosion and flooding.

“This plan must go beyond rhetoric,” Mr Adjei said. “It should contain clear objectives, measurable targets, and a sound framework for implementation and monitoring.”

He noted that these environmental threats, if not addressed urgently, could have dire consequences for lives, property, and national development.

Addressing the newly constituted Engineering Council Board, the Minister decried the prevalence of poor engineering practices, which he described as a direct threat to public safety and national progress.

He called for a zero-tolerance approach towards violations of building codes and the use of substandard materials, insisting that the integrity of engineering practice must not be compromised.

Adjei further advocated a total ban on the use of unlicensed or unqualified individuals and firms for engineering works, in line with the law.

“The consequences of using inferior materials and shoddy workmanship are simply too grave to ignore,” he warned.

The Minister concluded by urging all three boards to serve with commitment, diligence, and integrity, as their work will directly influence the safety, resilience, and sustainability of Ghana’s infrastructure.

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