Building Works Resumed

Three so or so weeks ago, LaDMA issued a final warning that all building works on my project be put on hold, even though my application for a building permit was being processed by them. Last week I got word from my contact in Ghana that the Building Permit was ready and that a fee, which included that for starting the project without a permit was issued

I am not too bothered about paying the penalty as I have achieved a lot of work in the time that would have taken me to get this permit issued. Unfortunately nothing in Ghana works even close to clockwork, so a decision to wait can cost you a lot of money and progress. From what my contact has informed me, once the receipt is issued LaDMA will endorse the receipt indicating that payment has been made and building works can be continued until the actual permit is issued. I think I have touched on the issue of Building Permits somewhere in this blog. A friend informed me that he never applied for a building permit. When I asked where his building was located it dawned on me why he did not apply for one. His building is on the outskirts of Accra. In popular areas like Nyaniba Estates, Labone, Cantonment, Airport Residential Area you cannot get away with not applying for a building permit without being hassled by the Metropolitan Authority that manages these areas. The local metropolitan authorities have dedicated officers going around these areas  and looking out for any new building being erected. 
Lessons learnt:
Depending on the location of your building project, make sure that you acquire a valid building permit before you start your building.
Get written down clarification from the local metropolitan authority what you are paying for, and what payment constitutes what.

Currently this is what the site looks like - Two short videos.