Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry Pays Courtesy Call on Ga Mantse, Pledges Support for Accra Redevelopment

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, Emmanuel A. Cherry, has reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the redevelopment and modernization of Greater Accra Region during a courtesy call on the King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

Addressing the Ga Traditional Council through the Chief Linguist, Mr. Cherry explained that the visit was to formally pay homage and express appreciation to the Ga Mantse for honoring the Chamber’s invitation to its recent Annual General Conference, Awards and Dinner Night.

“We were here a couple of weeks ago in connection with our Annual General Conference and Awards Dinner. His Royal Majesty graciously responded to our invitation and attended with his entourage,” Mr. Cherry said.

He noted that beyond the courtesy visit, the Chamber was also seeking to follow up on issues raised by the Ga Mantse during the event, particularly concerning the construction sector and the broader redevelopment of Accra.

“As key stakeholders within the construction industry, we are here to deepen our relationship and understand exactly what His Majesty expects of us,” he stated.

“If necessary, we will escalate discussions by engaging other traditional rulers and key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive proposal with recommendations aimed at enhancing the beauty and development of Greater Accra.”

Mr. Cherry added that the Chamber is prepared to present a formal paper outlining practical steps the industry can take to address identified concerns.

Responding on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Head of Protocol at the Ga Mantse’s Office, Ambassador Sylvester Parker-Allotey, acknowledged the challenges confronting the construction industry and called for urgent reforms.

He highlighted the high cost of construction and persistent project delays as major concerns.

“Construction is too expensive, and many projects are not completed on time. This is a serious issue that affects budgets and development planning,” he noted.

Ambassador Parker-Allotey further raised concerns about safety lapses, citing frequent accidents and avoidable loss of lives at construction sites. He stressed the need for stricter supervision, adherence to standards, and proper resource allocation to prevent such incidents.

He also criticized the growing practice of “cutting corners” in project execution, warning that it compromises structural integrity and public safety.

“In the past, retention funds were kept aside to address defects after project completion. Today, that system is no longer strictly adhered to, with some contractors demanding full payment before completing their work,” he observed.

The Head of Protocol further called for better urban planning, including the designation of properly structured residential and industrial zones to ensure orderliness and improved quality of life for residents.

The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between traditional authorities and industry players in addressing infrastructural deficits and ensuring sustainable development across the capital.

The Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry is expected to continue consultations and submit formal recommendations to the Ga Traditional Council in the coming weeks.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith