Industry stakeholders are pushing for the integration of architects into Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), arguing that the move could significantly reduce inefficiencies, project delays, and financial losses in Ghana’s urban development value chain.
At a media engagement organised by the Ghana Institute of Architects, participants framed the absence of architects in local governance structures as not just a planning gap, but a major economic bottleneck affecting real estate investments, infrastructure delivery, and city competitiveness.
The discussions, themed around navigating urban development and regulatory compliance, highlighted how weak coordination between developers and assemblies continues to inflate construction costs and increase regulatory risks.
Speakers noted that developers often commit substantial capital to full architectural designs without prior validation from planning authorities, only to face rejections due to zoning or height restrictions.
This, they said, leads to avoidable sunk costs and slows down project timelines, ultimately impacting returns on investment.
Mr Victor T. Mensah, a former Director of Works at the Coastal Development Authority, emphasised that early-stage architectural review mechanisms within assemblies could help de-risk projects and improve capital efficiency in the construction sector.
He explained that introducing structured “approval-in-principle” systems, backed by professional architectural input, would allow developers to validate concepts before committing financial resources to detailed designs.
“Without early technical scrutiny, developers face a higher probability of design rejection, which translates into wasted investment and delayed project delivery,” he noted.
Beyond individual projects, stakeholders pointed to broader economic implications, including the proliferation of poorly planned urban spaces that undermine land value and reduce the commercial viability of public infrastructure.
Mr Mensah cited underutilised spaces beneath flyovers as examples of lost economic opportunities, noting that poor design, lighting, and security considerations often render such areas commercially inactive.
Mr Augustus Richardson, Vice President of the Ghana Institute of Architects, proposed a model where independent architects are engaged by MMDAs on a contractual basis rather than as permanent staff.
According to him, this approach would ensure professional independence while enabling assemblies to access high-level technical expertise when needed, without significantly increasing their wage bill.
He argued that institutionalising such advisory roles could improve regulatory consistency, reduce disputes, and create a more predictable investment climate for developers.
“A more transparent and professionally guided permitting system lowers uncertainty and enhances investor confidence in the real estate and construction sectors,” he said.
Mr Richardson also raised concerns about the long-term economic cost of poorly designed public infrastructure, including bus shelters that fail accessibility standards and require frequent redesign or retrofitting.
From a policy perspective, local government authorities acknowledged the economic benefits of stronger collaboration with built environment professionals.
Mr John D. Sowah Nai, Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga West Municipal Assembly, indicated that clearer zoning frameworks and design guidelines would streamline approvals and reduce administrative delays for developers.
He noted that adopting coordinated urban design standards, including colour zoning and vertical development controls, could enhance property values and attract investment into Ghana’s growing urban centres.
Mr Mustapha Gariba of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development stressed that enforcement remains a critical gap, adding that professional oversight could strengthen compliance and protect public and private investments.
Participants concluded that embedding architectural expertise within MMDAs would not only improve urban aesthetics but also unlock economic value by reducing inefficiencies, improving land use, and supporting sustainable city growth.
