Investigating delays in Ghana Health Service building projects supervised by metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies a case study of Ashanti region

Abstract

Ghana Health Service (GHS) is the main parastatal institution responsible for health service delivery in Ghana. The institution relies on a well-functioning physical infrastructure to effectively implement the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act 526. Many new projects undertaken by the GHS supervised by Metropolitan/Municipal/District assemblies continue to experience delays. The aim of this study was to examine delays in Ghana Health Service building projects supervised by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The study adopted a quantitative design involving the administration of survey questionnaires to a sample of 100 respondents made of 30 quantity surveyors, 15 Contractors, 13 Architect, 20 Structural engineers, 17 Estate officers and 5 District accountants. The collected data was analysed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21. The results were presented using percentages and mean values in a Table. The findings of the study suggested that delays in approving design documents, ineffective communication among parties, shortage of materials, mistakes and discrepancies, unreliable sub-contractors, incompetent project team, complexity of the project, unclear details in drawings, equipment unavailability were the key factors causing delay in GHS construction projects in Ashanti Region. Also, the main effects of delays were found to be time overrun, cost overrun, reduced profit, substandard work as well as waste of resources were the most important effects the study found. Based on the findings, the study recommends that sub-contractors should be selected based on their past experience. Contractors should have competent – spot supervisors to ensure persuasive execution of the project in time.