Prof Gyan urges homebuilders to seek professional advice, obtain permits

Legal practitioner Professor Kwame Gyan has urged prospective homeowners to engage qualified built-environment professionals and obtain all necessary permits before beginning construction. He said relying solely on a draftsman or proceeding with construction without proper professional advice could expose homeowners to legal, safety and financial risks. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, September 11, during a discussion on how people can start small and work towards owning their dream homes, Prof Gyan said Ghana’s building laws and standards require strict compliance. “To be on the safe side, I strongly recommend that anyone who is trying to build must engage the services of a professional.

” Prof Gyan, a legal expert and academic specialising in land law, immovable property and natural resources law, said qualified built-environment professionals are trained to guide homeowners through the planning and construction process. “The built environment professionals, they are trained in this area,” he said. Building permit is mandatory Prof Gyan stressed that obtaining a building permit is a legal requirement and not an optional step for prospective homeowners. “You have to, one, apply for the permit to build,” he said. He cited the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), saying the law prohibits the construction of buildings without the required permit. “If you look at our Local Governance Act of 2016, Act 936, you cannot build without a permit,” he said. He added that the requirement for proper planning and approval of land use was not a recent development. According to him, Article 267(3) of the 1992 Constitution also contains provisions relating to the use of certain lands and requires certification that a proposed use is consistent with an approved…