By Kodjo Adams
Accra, March 13, GNA – The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has warned that companies that failed to comply with construction standards would face the full rigours of the law.
The Authority said it would continue to strengthen testing procedures in the construction sector and review standards to ensure they were fit for purpose.
Mr Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, Deputy Director‑General of GSA, made this known at a stakeholder dialogue on concrete development in Accra.
It was held under the theme “Integrating Standards, Cementitious Materials, and Concrete Technology for Good Construction Practice.”
Mr Jabanyite explained that collaboration between GSA and BAM, a German research institute, had enhanced the technical capabilities of staff and led to the development of a handbook for safe and durable construction in Ghana.
He said that the Authority was working with BAM and Koforidua Technical University to explore the use of agricultural waste such as groundnut husk, rice husk and sugarcane waste in cement production.
Mr Jabanyite said Ghana’s infrastructure agenda required the use of quality concrete to ensure safety and standards.
“Concrete is the backbone of modern construction. The dialogue is a collective response to addressing challenges in the sector,” he stated.
Mr Jabanyite noted that the Authority would continue to enforce standards and equip companies with tools to protect consumers from poor structures.
Dr Wolfram Schmidt, Senior Researcher at the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, emphasised the importance of collaboration in modernising standards in the built environment to ensure compliance and innovation.
Dr Nana Benyi Ansah, Senior Lecturer at Accra Technical University, said public test laboratories were essential to quality infrastructure and credibility of standards.
“We do not have to treat laboratory modernization as an administrative upgrade but as a national infrastructure priority,” he said.
Madam Sarah Acheampong, Head of Production at Regimanual Concrete Products, stressed that the quality of concrete could not be compromised.
She urged authorities to address challenges related to materials and infrastructure strength failures.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey