Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Works and Housing, has issued a directive to the Works Inspectorate Unit under the Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure strict adherence to health and safety standards by contractors on public work sites.
This announcement was made during an inspection tour of key projects in Kyebi, Eastern Region, accompanied by Deputy Minister Dr. Prince Hamid Armah.
“The Works Inspectorate Unit is focusing heavily on health and safety standards at various public work sites. During our site visits, we observed several instances of non-compliance, despite numerous warnings from the assembly and consultants,”
“The unit will now take a tougher stance on contractors who fail to meet these standards. Non-compliant contractors will be compelled to cease work.”
During the tour, the minister and his deputy also inspected the Kyebi Birim Rivers, part of the ministry’s flood control program. Hon. Oppong Nkrumah urged the public to contribute to the Ghana Hydrological Fund, which will be launched at the upcoming Bench Conference.
The Ghana Hydrological Fund was established to mobilize resources necessary for essential hydro works across the country.
“Despite significant resources, they are inadequate to address the magnitude of the problem. For instance, in the Greater Accra region, only about 2% of the necessary works have been completed, leading to recurrent flooding issues,” the minister explained.
“The fund aims to draw resources from the treasury, development partners, and climate change sources. Currently, we have about 6 kilometers of work left to complete, but only enough resources to cover 500 meters, which is insufficient. It is crucial to bolster the hydro fund to support these and other vital hydro projects.
“The Bench Conference later this year will mark the launch of the hydro fund, and we anticipate the inflow of resources. We urge the public and international community to contribute generously,” he added.
The minister and his team also paid a courtesy visit to the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, to inform him of their presence in Kyebi, update him on the ongoing projects within the town, and wish him well on his 25th anniversary.
Joining the minister and his deputy on the tour were several key officials, including the MCE for Abuakwa South Municipality, Hon. Akosua Asabea Annah; the Chief Director for the Ministry of Works and Housing, Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei; the Director for Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring & Evaluation (PPBME), Mr. Benard Ayensu; the Director for Works, Mr. Mac Tetteh; the CEO of the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Dr. John Kissi; the Head of Drainage, Mr. Richard Amekor.
