Deputy Director of Safety at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Headquarters, DO1 Michael Ato Korsah, has cautioned contractors and developers of high-rise and commercial buildings to strictly comply with safety regulations before, during, and after construction.
Speaking during a safety inspection exercise on August 21, 2025, Mr. Korsah stressed that acquiring a building permit goes beyond paperwork, as it requires strict adherence to laid-down safety procedures.
According to him, all building drawings must first be submitted for review to ensure that adequate safety measures are incorporated to protect both occupants and the structure.
“As one is building, periodically you must follow up with inspections to ensure that the provisions made in the conceptual report and drawings are being incorporated as construction progresses,” he explained.
He noted that many contractors fail to stick to their original designs, creating variations during construction.
“We have realized that most of them don’t adhere to the provisions they themselves have made, so as regulators we come around to be sure. If there are variations, we correct them,” Mr. Korsah said.
He further emphasized that approved permits must be displayed at construction sites.
“Once you have a permit and it’s approved, you have to post it for everyone to see or post a photocopy of it,” he stated.
He highlighted some common challenges, noting that:
Many construction workers lack proper safety precautions.
Building drawings often do not match the actual construction.
Some projects lack supervisors to provide relevant information when requested.
He warned that the Service will not hesitate to halt projects that fail to comply with these requirements.
“If they fail to do any of these, we will stop them from building until they produce the permits,” he cautioned.
Mr. Korsah concluded by reminding contractors that neglecting safety measures puts lives at risk.
“The neglect of any measure can cost lives, so if you’re a builder, you must hire professionals who are duly registered by law,” he advised.
