This is to ensure that all building materials conform to safety standards and guarantee value for money.

As part of processes to make this happen, the GSA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS) to enforce the building code that requires all building materials to be tested and certified before permits are issued.

Collaboration

The MoU which was signed in Accra yesterday, will ensure that the two state institutions collaborate to strictly enforce the new building code and other standards at all the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs).

The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, signed for the authority while the Head of the OHLGS, Dr Nana Ato Arthur, initialed for the Office.

A Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwesi Adjei-Boateng, was present to witness the historic signing ceremony.

The agreement will also lead to the building of the capacity of the technical staff at the MMDAs to enforce the standards to ensure value for money.

Additionally, the agreement focuses on enhancing the sharing of relevant information and expertise between the parties to promote standards relating to trade and industry, public welfare, environment, health and safety.

Enforcement

Prof. Dodoo explained that unlike the current system where building permits were issued without certifying the materials, the new building regime would require that the MMDAs inspect and certify all building materials in accordance with the building code before they issue permits.

He added that buildings would be given certification upon completion only after all standards had been met and the buildings conformed with safety standards.

"I want to reiterate that in 12 months time, there will be no building permit issued without a test of the materials with the GSA logo on it. It is no longer about talking. We are moving from mere words to action and this is a commitment both parties have made," he stressed.

Road map

Nana Ato Arthur said the enforcement of the building code would start from the Greater Accra Region and be replicated in all parts of the country.

He added that with its wide coverage, the local government service would provide human and material resources to see to it that the standards on building code and other weights were adhered to by the public.

He asked all MMDAs to collaborate with the regulatory bodies at the local level to ensure that there was quality service delivery to people.

“This collaboration is key because the GSA and OHLGS are the major institutions that are at the forefront of enforcing standards and ensuring quality service delivery.

“The MMDAs and other organisations must see this as a catalyst for development and for improving revenue mobilisation,” he said.

Good move

For his part, Mr Adjei-Boateng described the partnership between the two institutions as a major move to achieving the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

He noted that the initiative to move the country beyond aid could only be realised if MMDAs took steps to enforce quality assurance standards to improve service delivery at the local level.

“Ghana beyond aid is possible but the institutions of state must work together in a coordinated manner to improve on the quality of service delivery to make it happen,” he said.