Ghanaian-British architect, David Adjaye
Some Ghanaian architects have accused the Akufo-Addo-led government of ignoring procurement procedures in awarding contracts under the Agenda 111 project.
They are also accusing the government of handpicking the architectural company of famous Ghanaian-British Architect David Adjaye for the designs of the hospital.
In an interview on TV3’s New Day, Member of Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry (GhCCI), Sammy Amegayibor, said several concerns have also been raised by the Chamber concerning the contract awarded to the architect.
He stated that “as an architect, you need to have a certified license and go through certain processes to operate in the country, but many concerns have been raised that he did not go through required processes.”
It can be recounted that the Secretary of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Augustus Richardson, mentioned that Mr Adjaye was handpicked and the government did not give the opportunity to other Ghanaian architects to apply for the contract.
Chairman of GhCCI, Dr Adam Bona, said the construction industry employs a larger number of people and it is significant for the government to pay more attention to the sector award contracts to indigenous Ghanaian architectural companies.
This, he said, will also reduce the unemployment rate in the country.
“A contractor can employ about 800 to 1,500 people for a project, and you can imagine the kind of impact it would have on unemployment in the country if government pays more attention to the sector”.
He said the mandate of the GhCCI is to ensure that 99 per cent of contracts should be worked on by indigenous Ghanaian construction companies to encourage more people into the sector.
Mr Bona stated that “if we do not have the capacity to employ local contractors, then mechanisms have to be put in place to improve their works and help these contractors develop in their area of work”.
The Chairman said the Chamber also seeks to ensure equal treatment to both local and foreign contractors, adding that issues of outstanding payments to Ghanaian contractors will also be resolved.
He recommended that mechanisms should be put in place to monitor projects.
Mr Bona mentioned that the maiden edition of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry Excellence Awards has been slated for September 8 to September 10 this year, which will be preceded by an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to foster partnership with the government and stakeholders in the construction industry.