The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) is calling on the government to review local government laws to make Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) more proactive in inspecting construction sites.

Architect Kofi Owusu, President of the GIA Northern Chapter, stated that this step will guarantee the use of quality materials for construction projects in the country.

He shared this insight during a facility tour of the DBS plant in Kotwi-Nkoransa in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti region.

Mr Owusu led a delegation of over 70 architects to inspect the company’s evolving production lines.

In an interview with Adom News, he noted that strict supervision will help to minimise future disaster risks and promote sustainable construction practices.

"Our proposal to the President is to empower MMDAs to monitor construction projects effectively, enforcing building codes and standards. This, we hope, will minimise the occurrence of building collapses and other disasters linked to substandard materials," he said.

He also emphasised the importance of using local materials in construction projects.

Architect Kofi Owusu revealed that foreign contractors often grab government construction contracts and import materials from abroad for the projects instead of sourcing locally.

He called on the Ghanaian government to prioritise local sourcing to boost the local economy and create a more suitable architecture for Ghana's environment.

"We have seen that mostly, expatriates come in and do the bulk of the work, but when it comes to sourcing materials, it will be nice if the sourcing is basically local. Materials in any vicinity are the best for the architecture of that local area."

He also believes this move will help create a more sustainable built environment and support local businesses.

He urged the government to enforce policies that promote local material sourcing in construction projects.

"We want the government to push for local sourcing from local companies so that we have the best environment for our nation."

Architect Kofi Owusu lauded DBS Industries for its unwavering commitment to manufacturing high-quality construction materials tailored for the Ghanaian market.

He highlighted the company’s keen understanding of local environmental demands, noting its consistent ability to innovate.

Welcoming the delegation, Architect Nana Dr David Nyame-Tawiah, Deputy Managing Director of DBS Limited, called on the government to provide targeted incentives and tax relief that would empower the industry companies to boost production and create jobs. 

According to him, this move would significantly address the country's unemployment challenges.

"By offering tax waivers and incentives, the government can help industrial companies like DBS scale production. As we all know, when it comes to job creation, the government cannot do it alone; it needs to help industrial companies to expand their operations, which would directly translate into more jobs for the Ghanaian youth." 

He noted that DBS is committed to a "knowledge-exchange" model where academic theory meets industrial practice.

This collaboration, he argued, is vital for ensuring structural integrity in Ghana.