Deputy Ranking Member on the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has accused some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) of prioritizing revenue generation over national interest in the issuance of building permits.
Speaking on ABC News GH, the legislator criticized the Assemblies for turning permitting into a cash-generating avenue rather than a regulatory tool for safeguarding lives and property.
“Some MMDAs are using permitting as a way of getting income, rather than looking at the national interest,” he stated.
Mr. Acquah further raised concerns over the failure of authorities to prevent construction in waterlogged and flood-prone areas, a problem he says is directly contributing to the perennial loss of lives and properties.
He condemned individuals who build on waterways, stating, “The buildings in the waterways are going to be the cause of the loss of properties. It’s going to be the cause of the loss of lives.”
He emphasized the need for MMDAs to conduct proactive inspections rather than waiting until buildings are completed before responding.
His comments come as Ghana marks 10 years since the tragic June 3rd disaster, where over 150 lives were lost due to a combination of flooding and a gas explosion at the GOIL filling station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
Mr. Acquah revealed that Parliament is yet to engage the Ghana Hydrological Authority and other relevant agencies to address the persistent issue of poor drainage and unregulated construction.
“This is the season where we really need to resolve the issue,” he warned, calling for urgent and systemic reform in urban planning enforcement.
