Clients’ Knowledge on Building Permit Acquisition Process - The Case of Sunyani East Municipal Assembly

Abstract

The study assessed the clients’ knowledge on building permit acquisition procedures in Ghana using a case study approach. A sample size of 346 comprising clients and would-be clients in the Sunyani East Municipal Assembly (SEMA) were interviewed on the permit acquisition procedures. The study area was stratified into 18 urban sectors which share common socio-economic characteristics. About 19 respondents were selected randomly from the final subjects proportionally from the 18 strata. An interview guide prepared in Epi Info 7 was then used to conduct the household interviews. The average score rate was 46% for clients on questions set to cover stages 1 to 6 of building permit acquisition procedures and that for questions on permit regulations was 55%. Building permit applicants in SEMA are not well-informed on the permit acquisition process and regulations governing permit issuance in Ghana. The Pearson c² tests averages of 36.156 and 32.901 compared with the critical value of 13.28 at 4df, 11.34 at 3df and 6.64 at 1df using alpha level of 1%, led to assuming of these alternative hypotheses. About 86% of prospective permit would prefer e-permit application if introduced by the assembly.

Keywords: clients' knowledge, building permit, acquisition process, case study, Sunyani East Municipal Assembly