Local government institutions in Ghana: Core partners in health and safety performance in the construction industry

Abstract

The potential contribution of district assemblies to improving health and safety in Ghana's construction industry has not been investigated. This paper attempts to identify the local government responsibilities that could influence health and safety performance in the construction industry and to develop a confirmatory factor model based on these responsibilities. The paper adopted a positivist philosophy and a deductive methodology. A literature search was conducted to identify the local government factors that could potentially impact health and safety performance in the Ghanaian construction industry. These factors were adapted and designed into a questionnaire, and the generated questionnaires were distributed to respondents for their feedback. It was identified using the relative importance index that "the development of sanctions for violating occupational health and safety statutory obligations," "the institution of local government occupational health and safety approval and certification for new projects," and "the creation of occupational health and safety departments and committees that are adequately resourced to assist the Department of Factories Inspectorate" were the three most important roles that district assemblies could play as partners to improve health and safety in the construction industry. Conversely, the multivariate analysis identified the evaluation of the safety policies and risk management plans of contractors and suppliers as the most important role local government institutions could play in improving health and safety in the construction industry. The result of the study suggests that local government efforts, when given the needed attention and support, could advance health and safety in the industry. The practical implication of the study is that it identifies the roles of district assemblies that could enhance health and safety in Ghana's construction industry. All district assemblies should consider implementing these health and safety initiatives in their districts and ensuring they are regularly enforced and evaluated.

Keywords: District assemblies; Ghanaian construction industry; Multivariate analysis; Relative importance index; Safety performance.