Accra has witnessed its second building collapse in less than a week, leaving at least two people dead and reigniting concerns about building safety and regulatory enforcement in Ghana’s capital.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday, June 7, at Avenor in North Kaneshie, where a three-storey building under construction collapsed following an early-morning rainfall, trapping several people beneath the rubble. Emergency responders remain at the scene searching for possible survivors.
The tragedy comes just days after another building collapsed in Adenta Newsite during heavy rainfall, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to four others.
Rescue Operations Continue At North Kaneshie Site
Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey confirmed that one person had died in the North Kaneshie collapse while rescue efforts continued.
He told Citi News at the scene that emergency teams were still working to evacuate additional victims believed to be trapped under the debris.
The collapsed structure, located opposite the Ashfoam showroom and adjacent to Melcom Plus, was reportedly a residential building under construction with shops planned for the ground floor.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), together with other security and emergency agencies, have been deployed to the site.
Fire officers say portions of the rubble remain inaccessible, prompting the deployment of heavy-duty equipment to assist rescue teams in reaching areas where more victims may be trapped.
Authorities have also urged residents and onlookers to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to work safely and efficiently.
Adenta Collapse Claimed One Life Earlier This Week
The North Kaneshie incident follows another collapse at Adenta Newsite on Wednesday evening after heavy rains swept through parts of the Greater Accra Region.
A one-storey building near Da Yesu Ase Supermarket collapsed at about 6:36 pm, trapping five occupants.
Rescue teams from the National Headquarters, Legon and Abelemkpe fire stations responded to the emergency and successfully pulled four people alive from the wreckage.
The survivors, identified as Fred Atagba, Solomon, Seyeram Dzigda and David Dzigda, sustained injuries and were transported to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.
However, their 35-yearold mother, Margaret Kpeli, was later retrieved unconscious from the debris and handed over to the Adenta District Police. She was later pronounced dead.
Emergency personnel also rescued a dog trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Why The Latest Incidents Raise Serious Safety Questions
The two incidents occurring within days of each other have intensified public debate about building standards, construction supervision and enforcement of safety regulations in rapidly developing parts of Accra.
While investigations are expected to determine the exact causes of both collapses, concerns are already emerging over structural integrity, adherence to approved building plans, engineering supervision and the impact of extreme weather conditions on vulnerable structures.
Building collapses have periodically occurred in Ghana, often prompting calls for stricter inspections and stronger enforcement against unauthorised or substandard construction.
Calls For Stronger Enforcement Of Building Regulations
As rescue efforts continue in North Kaneshie and families await updates on missing loved ones, conversations have turned towards the broader question of how similar incidents can be prevented.
Experts have long called for stronger monitoring of construction projects, routine structural assessments and tougher penalties for developers who fail to comply with building regulations.
Following the Adenta incident, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, directed that all buildings in the capital be audited to assess their structural integrity. Before that audit could begin, however, the Kaneshie incident occurred, reinforcing the urgency of the directive.
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