The Effect of Building Collapse in Ghanaian Building Industry: The Stakeholders’ Perspectives.

Abstract

Purpose: The construction industry in Ghana has experienced a rampant collapse of building over the years, and there have been various reportage in both electronic and print media. The consequences of these incidents have a detrimental effect on stakeholders’ lives and properties. Hence, the study will ascertain the effect of a building collapse on the Ghanaian building industry and the stakeholders’ perspectives.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research utilised a quantitative technique by administering questionnaires to assist in attaining the aim of the study. The respondents were selected using random and purposive sampling techniques and consisted of contractors, building owners, architects, occupants, and building inspectors. A sample size of 150 was employed for the survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data gathered from the study. Again, the study achieved a reliability test with Cronbach’s Alpha value of (0.870) an indication of reliable data.

Findings: The study discovered the effect of building collapse in the building industry in Ghana as leading to psychological trauma, stress and shock, loss of property, loss of valuable resources to occupants, loss of job, causes of disability, increase in the number of homeless people, injuries, and loss of trust of contractors.

Implications/Research Limitations: The present study implies that it is critical and paramount for building owners to award building contracts to qualified contractors who are tried and tested in the building industry. Also, the building industry inspection directorate should regularly inspect and monitor building projects in their jurisdictions. The study is limited to Grater Accra and the Eastern region of Ghana; therefore, a similar study can be carryout in other regions in Ghana.

Practical Implications: The outcomes of this paper would be significant to building industry stakeholders such as architects, consultants, structure engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors, clients, and MMDAs. This would strengthen the need to monitor and supervise building project delivery to avoid unexpected eventualities that may cause human lives and properties of building users.

Originality/Value: Existing literature shows no scientific inquiries into the effect of building collapse in the building industry in Ghana from stakeholders’ perspectives. Grounded on previous empirical and theoretical studies, the results of this enquiry contribute to knowledge and comprehension of the effect of building collapse on building users in Ghana.