In a bid to associate with an independent body that is well positioned in terms of technical know-how and capacity, to push for the implementation of its research outcomes, the Faculty of Built Environment of the College of Art and Built Environment, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has met the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI).
In his presentation on Sanitisation, Stimulating Growth and Development of the Construction Industry in Ghana, the Senior Policy Advisor to the (GhCCI) Surv. Kwadwo Osei-Asante said the construction industry encompasses and comprises all actors and organisations involved in the initiation, design, construction, and operation of the building and civil works and structures, services, systems, and facilities within the built environment necessary for an economy to function.
Surv. Osei-Asante continued that the membership and composition of actors in the built environment comprised trade associations such as the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG), Association of Road Contractors (ASROC), Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA) and Artisans Association of Ghana (AAG). Others are the Progressive Road Contractors Association (PROCA), Ghana Electronic Security and Safety Association (GESSA), and Interior Designers and Decorators Ghana (IDDG).
The Professional Associations also include the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA), Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP), Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Institution of Engineering and Technology - Ghana (IET-GH), and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Ghana Hub.
Others are across multiple disciplines, both public and private sector consultants, design teams, suppliers’ Sub-assemblers, regulation and standards authorities, and academia.
The Policy Advisor said the construction sector index shows a relationship between construction and the economy. That is if construction goes up, the growth of the economy goes up. He revealed that the construction industry is considered one of the most viable sectors of the economy. Records show that the construction sector recorded a growth rate of 8% in 2006, 8.4% in 2013, and 14% in 2014, and got reduced to 12% over the medium term in 2017, currently at 12%, and considered the backbone of the economy. The Sector is a source of employment for about 3% of the active population in Ghana.
On a recent key development analysis of growth trends, Surv. Osei-Asante indicated that Data from Ghana Statistical Service shows that for twenty years, the sector has contributed to and continues to be one of the fastest growing of the twenty-one (21) sub-sectors of the economy. Significant Investments in rail, road, and property projects in the sector have contributed about 5% to 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2017, construction contributed to about 13.7% of Ghana’s GDP.
He stated that analysis of growth suggests that potential infrastructure and housing stock are in poor condition and needs upgrading and with a projected increase, the sector is expected to register further growth. There also abound mechanisms and institutions to ensure the training of sufficient numbers of qualified professionals to sustain development and growth projections.
Surv. Kwadwo Osei-Asante said the Chamber proposes the establishment of a central agency, a Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) for Ghana. He explained that the mission of the proposed body is to build a world-class construction industry to enhance the competitiveness of the industry’s people, products, and businesses. The proposal is currently with the Attorney General’s Department as a legislative Bill. The GhCCI proposed improving access to finance and credit, improving skills development, promoting, and supporting research, performance monitoring, and measurement standards, the leadership of the construction industry, and scaling up infrastructure development of local materials and equipment to reduce construction costs.
In his closing remarks, the Dean of the FBE, Professor Samuel Amos-Abanyie said, it is good that all the findings are based on research which is one of the key operations of the University. Professor Amos-Abanyie further said the faculty would provide the necessary support and representation on the Board to enable a fruitful collaboration with the Chamber.