The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and its German partners have rolled out an outreach programme at the Koforidua Technical University to promote safer building practices.

The programme will also support Ghana’s shift toward more sustainable construction and cleaner cement technologies.

The initiative, funded by the Government of Germany and jointly implemented with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), forms part of GSA’s nationwide drive to strengthen compliance with building standards and address safety gaps highlighted in recent years.

It also aims to accelerate the use of low‑carbon, locally sourced cementitious materials across the construction sector.

Speaking at the event, the GSA Deputy Director General (General Services), Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, said the outreach reinforces the authority’s core mandate to protect the public from unsafe building practices.

“Our mission is to ensure that every building in Ghana meets safety standards that protect lives and property,” he said.

“Compliance begins with awareness, and safe and sustainable construction is not a luxury; it is a necessity for national development,” he said.

A major focus of the programme is Ghana’s ongoing research partnership with Germany to explore alternatives to clinker, the dominant raw material in cement production.

Mr Jabanyite explained that studies increasingly show that agricultural waste and by‑products can serve as effective substitutes.

“This joint project with BAM and KTU is looking at agriculture-based cementitious materials that can reduce carbon emissions and support a circular economy,” he said.

Africa’s large stretches of unused arable land, he noted, offer opportunities to produce such biomaterials locally.

He added that the GSA will develop the necessary standards once the research is completed to ensure the materials can be safely commercialised.

“The work is viable and sustainable, and GSA will ensure it is upscaled correctly.”

He said GSA is tightening enforcement through a new Standards Enforcement Unit, with additional officers posted to regions such as the Eastern Region, alongside routine checks on structural designs, cement certification, and a national complaints desk.

Mr Jabanyite emphasised the critical role of technical universities, describing them as “indispensable partners” in developing standards that reflect real-world needs.

Through the Industrial Support Programme and regular radio education campaigns, the GSA continues to expand public awareness on safe construction.

A senior researcher at BAM, Dr Wolfram Schmidt, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s construction reforms through scientific and technical collaboration.

“We are proud to stand with GSA in advancing sustainable construction practices that align with international benchmarks,” he said. “Safe housing is a fundamental right, not a privilege.”

He noted that construction materials and conditions vary widely from region to region due to differences in geology, markets and supply chains.

He said this variation creates space for African countries to adopt innovation more quickly than regions locked into older technologies.

“Worldwide, we are still using concrete technology from 100 years ago,” adding, “through science and standardisation working together, Ghana can move into a new generation of greener, more local, lower carbon construction technology,” he said.

He described the partnership as offering “the perfect synergy between science and standardisation”.

A Senior Lecturer at KTU’s Civil Engineering Department, Dr Anim Ofoso, highlighted common on‑site mistakes undermining construction safety.

He urged artisans and contractors to avoid mixing different cement brands in the same project, as doing so weakens concrete.

He also expressed concern about rising health risks among artisans, including eye injuries and respiratory problems caused by prolonged exposure to cement without protective gear.

“Many artisans are going blind or developing lung problems,” he said.

“Protect your eyes, hands, and nose. And don’t use masonry cement, which is meant only for mortar, for concrete works,” he cautioned.

The outreach brought together artisans, supervisors, former students, and final year students in civil engineering, building technology, and construction technology.

Dr Ofoso said the knowledge exchange was vital, stressing, “The synergy is strong. They now understand what to avoid, so they don’t repeat past mistakes.”

As Ghana’s construction sector expands, GSA and its German partners expressed confidence that improved standards, cleaner cement innovations, and sustained public education will build a safer, more resilient, and more sustainable industry for generations to come.