The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has held a town hall meeting in Bolgatanga to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The purpose of the Town Hall meeting was to introduce GIA to the region, and the role the architect plays in the physical development.
President of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Architect Foster Osae-Akonnor entreated the public to collaborate with architects to ensure that infrastructures are well designed to help promote the country
“We haven’t driven through the entire town of Bolgatanga but coming from the town to this place [RCC], you will see a lot of kiosks by the roadside, signboards and what have you which makes this city very dirty. Roads are cited not on the right way; some infrastructures are cited on roadways which don’t help the development of a country”
The town hall meeting brought together architects, representatives of the assemblies, chiefs, and the media. The 60th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Institute of Architects is under the theme “Architects and the Community”.
The President of GIA, Foster Osae-Akonnor was worried by the recent collapse of buildings in the country but said his outfit will collaborate with the Regional Coordinating Council for the implementation of reinforced policies.
“Materials that are used for construction have to be tested at every point in time to know the recommended strength per the specification of the drawings. So, material usage and even the quality of the construction. These days, you realise that people do formwork without paying particular attention to how it is braced. So, they will be casting the concrete and everything will fall apart. So, there are a number of things that cause buildings to collapse”
In a span of 2 weeks, Mr. Osae-Akonnor said 4 buildings collapsed at different places in the country and as a result, an ad hoc committee was set up to look into the causes of the collapse of buildings and to find a solution to it.
Chief Director for the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Abubakar Inusah commended the Ghana Institute of Architects for the contribution they make to nation-building. The director has therefore entreated stakeholders in the building industry to find lasting solutions to the collapse of buildings in the country.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga|Ghana
