GSA launches new construction guidebook
The Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof. Alex Dodoo, has warned that poor technical knowledge and the use of substandard materials in informal construction pose a major threat to public safety.
He noted that while many Ghanaians invest heavily in building homes, they often relied on untrained workers who did not understand how to properly use critical materials such as cement, concrete, iron rods, and paint—resulting in weak and unsafe structures.
He made these remarks at the Symposium on Science-Based Innovation for Robust Construction Materials in Ghana, held in Accra on Thursday. The event aimed to strengthen international collaboration in improving standards and testing through science and innovation.
It was organised by the GSA in partnership with the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), with support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN).
Other partners included the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBt), the National Metrology Institute (PTB), the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK), and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
As part of efforts to bridge the knowledge gap, the GSA launched a new construction guidebook titled Handbook for Safe and Smart Durable Construction in Ghana, aimed at educating informal builders. The free handbook provides practical guidance on safe material usage and construction practices.
“We developed this tool to empower those in the informal sector. If workers have the right knowledge, we can avoid structural failures and save lives,” Prof. Dodoo said.
He added that the Authority had intensified market surveillance, removing poor-quality products and halting the operations of non-compliant manufacturers.
One of the key concerns, he said, was the sale of iron rods that lack proper specifications and were not sold by weight, making quality verification difficult. He also warned against mixing different brands of cement on a single project, calling it a dangerous practice.
“When we confiscate substandard products, it’s not to punish businesses—it’s to protect lives. Every building will eventually be used by a Ghanaian. It could collapse at a church, funeral, or party,” he said.
On pricing, he disclosed that cement manufacturers had submitted their May and June rates to the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee, which he chairs. With the cedi appreciating, he said, prices were expected to fall if the trend continues.
Prof. Dodoo also highlighted Ghana’s lead in sustainable cement production, adding that Ghana was the first country to develop standards for limestone calcined clay cement (LC3), which can replace up to 65 per cent of imported clinker—potentially saving $500 million annually in foreign exchange and reducing costs.
He described the partnership with BAM as the most impactful under the International Cooperation Agreement, enabling the creation of a cement lab, faster testing, and training for over 350 inspectors. Over 80 cement samples were recently audited nationwide.
Dr Norbert Schultes, Head of Division for Institutional Partnerships at BAM, noted the project improved testing standards and introduced innovations such as chemical blends, spinners, and digital quality control systems.
He also praised the training GSA staff received in Germany and the upgraded lab equipment, including fume hoods and platinum crucibles.
