Assessment of factors influencing poor maintenance of public buildings in Ghana A case studies at Sogakope in South Tongu district in the Volta Region

Abstract

A building fabric is referred to as an “environmental envelope” because it is the means by which the natural or external environment may be modified, to produce a satisfactory internal environment for man to live in and affect the ability of the buildings to perform their functions adequately. The deterioration of buildings hampers its ability to perform adequately, thus it is important to ensure proper maintenance to prevent deterioration. However, maintenance of public buildings in Sogakope Township has received little attention, leaving the buildings to deteriorate thereby affecting its performance as required. This dissertation sought to investigate factors influencing poor maintenance of public buildings in Sogakope Township in the Volta Region of Ghana. Specifically, to explore the state of public buildings in the Sogakope township, ascertain the factors leading to poor maintenance of public buildings and provide appropriate recommendations to improve maintenance practice on public buildings in Sogakope Township. Key themes on maintenance practice were mobilised from relevant literature to situate the study within broader maintenance practice lens. The dissertation employed survey research design to investigate the factors affecting poor maintenance of public buildings in the Sogakope township, using questionnaire, interview, and observation techniques to gather relevant empirical data from seventy randomly sampled state institution staff in Sogakope to address the problem under investigation.