The collapse of a three storey building under construction at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has prompted the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA) to launch a renewed crackdown on illegal developments, with authorities vowing to arrest and prosecute the owner of the structure.
The incident, which claimed at about 4 lives and left others trapped beneath the rubble, triggered an emergency response involving the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and officials from LaNMMA.
Speaking during an inspection of the site, Municipal Chief Executive for La Nkwantanang–Madina, Hon. Ibrahim Fiala Fuseini, revealed that the developer had previously been stopped from continuing construction but allegedly disregarded official directives and proceeded with the project.
According to the Assembly, “the owner of the collapsed building will be held liable for all costs incurred in the demolition, debris removal and recovery operations.”
Hon. Fuseini disclosed that arrangements were underway to locate and arrest the owner of the Building to face legal action for violating building regulations and defying enforcement orders.
He stressed that every stage of construction must be supervised and approved by the relevant authorities, including foundation excavation, foundation filling, concrete works and structural development.
Failure to comply with these requirements, poses significant risks to lives and property. He Further described the collapse as a preventable tragedy and warned developers against ignoring planning regulations.
Authorities emphasized that ownership of land does not give individuals unrestricted authority to build without permits and technical approval. Ibrahim Fiala Fuseini further disclosed that it has intensified efforts to identify and remove unauthorized structures within the municipality.
Several illegal developments have already been demolished in recent weeks as part of ongoing enforcement exercises aimed at preventing similar incidents.
Cautionary Example for Developers Across the Country
Hon. Fuseini uses the incident as call which serve as a cautionary example for developers across the country. He noted that when buildings fail, government institutions and taxpayers often bear the burden of rescue operations, medical care and recovery efforts.
The incident has once again drawn national attention to persistent concerns about building safety and regulatory compliance in Ghana. Over the years, a number of building collapses have been linked to permit violations, unauthorized modifications and poor construction practices.
Engineering experts have consistently identified inadequate structural designs, poor workmanship, substandard construction materials and foundation defects as some of the leading causes of building failures.
Calls for Stricter Enforcement of Building Standards and Routine Inspections
Professional bodies have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of building standards and routine inspections to improve safety within the construction sector. The Adenta collapse also follows other recent structural failures that have raised concerns about compliance with planning regulations.
In several instances, investigations revealed that developers ignored stop-work orders or exceeded approved building specifications. Urban planning experts argue that the recurrence of such incidents highlights weaknesses in monitoring and enforcement systems.
While municipal assemblies possess the authority to halt unauthorized developments, some developers continue construction despite official directives, creating risks for workers, residents and nearby communities.
The La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly maintains that the disaster could have been avoided had the developer complied with planning regulations and directives issued by municipal authorities.
LaNMMa has pledged to strengthen inspections, intensify enforcement operations, and collaborate with engineers and planning professionals to identify unsafe structures before they become hazards.
For now, attention remains focused on rescue efforts, ongoing investigations and the Assembly’s determination to ensure accountability.
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