The President of the Ghana Institution of Architects, Adotei Brown has called on the government to subject all public buildings to more competitive bidding for designs.
According to him, the competition will help government to sample the best ideas and proposals for the construction of projects in the interest of the nation with the same cost.
Speaking in an interview, Adotei Brown noted that government does not make full use architectural expertise when project are awarded.
He stated that countries that make good use of architects have seen different and magnificent buildings across cities.
Commenting on the challenges in the industry, Architect Adotei Brown stressed that contractors and individuals sometimes change site plan meant for a project when implementing details on the map on the project site.
He said this has caused so many avoidable accident and situations at home and offices.
Architect Adotei Brown blamed the unfortunate situation on �fashion housing� where people build their house base on the style seen in other places or recommendation from unqualified persons.
He said it�s about time people learn to appreciate the duties of an architect.
Housing deficit
Architect Adotei Brown stated that the housing deficit will not improve if government fails to draw a housing policy for the nation as soon as possible.
According to him, the lack of policy over past few years has created the huge deficit of about 1.9 million in the country.
To reduce the current housing deficit, Adotei Brown recommended the re-establishment of social housing unit for public workers.
The social housing unit will enable public workers afford a house provided by the government at reduce price.
�Move away from the city�
People are getting too comfortable living in the city, making it difficult to expand development to other areas. The city is getting crowded by the day because people have to refuse to settle elsewhere, to reduce the crowding situation, he said.
He advised that people should begin settling outside the city so that the country can evenly be developed.
Architect Adotei Brown added that government should put up infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools, and utility services at locations like Dodowa, Kasoa, Nsawam and Aburi to help expand development in the country.
Good Building Designs
Mr. Brown said the country has poor architectural designs, citing the Bolgatanga library, Former American embassy building and the colonial buildings as some great work of art.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Water, Works and Housing Mr. E.T Mensah has indicated that 55 new architects will be inducted into the profession area.
He said this will bring to 816 the number of professionally trained architects in the country.
Source: PropertyExpress.org
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