There is consensus among stakeholders in the construction industry that government should establish a board, to deal with building defects that undermines the durability of projects.

Such a board should be an independent multi-stakeholder body that would curtail the unethical practices by contractors and operate along the lines of South African Construction Development Board.

Mr Martin K. Nnuro, President of the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana, and Mr Pius Michael Quainoo, General Secretary of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress reached the agreement at meeting to discuss matters of mutual concern.

Mr Quainoo said growth in local construction cannot be achieved if there is rot in the industry.

He expressed concern about foreign companies which disallow the formation of trades unions, leading to abuse of workers’ rights.

Mr Nnuro spoke against the domination of the industry by foreign contractors who get the “juicy jobs” to the disadvantage of their local counterparts.

He expressed concern about non-payment of jobs executed, which has brought untold hardship to members of the association and their workers.