Residents of the Avenor enclave have called on the government to urgently demolish a partially collapsed building that claimed three lives on June 7, 2026, warning that the remaining structure continues to threaten lives and property. Nearly two months after the tragedy, the building remains standing with parts of the structure still posing a danger to residents and passersby, while families affected by the collapse continue to await decisive action from the authorities.
The residents say the presence of the unstable structure has deepened their anxiety, particularly because officials have visited the site several times without providing a clear timeline for its demolition. One resident explained that soldiers previously visited the area and tied ropes around the building after authorities indicated that demolition work would begin soon, yet no further action followed.
“We are asking the government to come and demolish the building because our lives are at risk. They came and tied the rope here and said they would return soon, but they have not come,” the resident identified . For residents who witnessed the disaster, the delay has created fears over the possibility of another collapse.
The building’s condition, they explained, has made people increasingly cautious about moving around the area. Another resident recalled the repeated visits by authorities after the first section of the building collapsed, although residents of the enclave received little information about the decisions being taken.
The uncertainty has also affected people who live and work close to the building. Some residents say they have been warned by the police to stay away from the structure, yet the delay in bringing it down has left them questioning the reason for the stalled demolition.
A trader in the area recalled losing a customer in the June 7 disaster and expressed fear over the danger posed by the remaining structure. He explained that people around the building have become increasingly worried because the authorities have restricted access without removing the threat.
The resident also questioned whether the authorities were awaiting a demolition permit or other approval before taking action. The building has become a death trap that requires urgent attention to prevent another disaster.
The June 7 collapse claimed three lives and left residents confronting the consequences of a disaster that has continued beyond the day of the tragedy. For families who lost loved ones, the structure remains a painful reminder of the incident.
The building has also become a source of daily fear for people living within the enclave. Residents request the government to move beyond repeated visits and assurances and take the practical step of removing the danger.
Delayed Demolition Raises Safety Concerns At Avenor
The delay in demolishing the partially collapsed Avenor building has raised questions about the pace of government action following the June 7 disaster. Authorities previously indicated that unsafe structures would be removed to prevent further loss of life, yet residents say no clear explanation has been given for the continued delay at the Avenor site.
In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, the National Disaster Management Organisation identified 16 other unsafe buildings across the Greater Accra Region for demolition. The Minister for the Interior, Honourable Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak indicated that the identified structures would be brought down as part of efforts to prevent similar disasters. One of the buildings, located at Osu, was demolished on June 8, a day after the Avenor collapse.
The progress at Avenor, however, has left residents dissatisfied. While officials have visited the site on several occasions, the community says it has yet to receive a definite date for the demolition of the remaining structure.
That uncertainty has become a major part of the residents’ frustration. They say the government’s earlier assurances created an expectation that the building would be removed quickly after the tragedy.
The delay has also raised questions about the coordination of the agencies responsible for assessing and demolishing dangerous structures. Residents made reference to visits by the police, soldiers and other officials, although the building remains in place.
The issue also highlights the wider challenge of dealing with unsafe buildings in densely populated communities. A structure that has already partially collapsed can pose a continuing danger, particularly when people live and work within close proximity to it.
For the Avenor community, the matter has become more urgent because the building has already been linked to the loss of three lives. Residents fear that another collapse could produce a fresh tragedy if the remaining structure is left standing.
The community is therefore calling for a clear timeline and decisive action. Residents say the demolition should take place before the building claims more lives or destroys additional property.
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