Residents Demand Stricter Enforcement to Curb Building Collapses

By Esther Korantemaa Offei

Recent building collapses in Accra, including the collapse of a three-storey structure at Avenor in North Kaneshie, have renewed public concerns about construction standards, regulatory compliance and the overall safety of buildings in the capital.

The incident has sparked widespread debate about whether enough is being done by authorities and developers to prevent such disasters. Industry experts have pointed to poor construction practices, including the use of substandard materials, deviations from approved building plans and inadequate inspections, as some of the key factors contributing to the increasing number of structural failures.

Speaking to the New Finder, several residents expressed concern over what they describe as a growing trend of avoidable building collapses and called for stronger enforcement of building regulations.

One resident said the recurring incidents demonstrate a worrying pattern that authorities have failed to address despite repeated public outcry.

“This issue of buildings collapsing is becoming quite rampant, right? And I can remember a few months ago, similar incidents happened and it caught the media attention and we made a whole lot of noise about it. But as usual, you know, it’s still happening,” the resident said.

The respondent noted that the situation is particularly alarming because many of the collapses have occurred without major natural disasters such as earthquakes or severe weather events.

“And what’s worrying is that most of these buildings are falling when there is no serious natural disaster like a serious earthquake. So the question becomes, if something like that should happen, what should we expect?” the resident asked.

According to the respondent, the current incidents suggest that many structures in the city may not be able to withstand even moderate stress.

“Looking at what’s happening now, they have been put to the minimum stress, just flash floods happening and these buildings are falling down. So it should tell you that there is a lot happening in terms of the general safety of most buildings in Accra,” the resident stated.

The respondent urged authorities to intensify safety campaigns, inspect buildings regularly and strictly enforce existing laws.

“If they discover that a building is not safe, they should demolish it before it kills people. I think that’s the way to go,” the resident added.

Another resident expressed dissatisfaction with the current level of oversight, arguing that the frequency of building collapses indicates a failure to enforce construction regulations.

“No, I don’t think enough is being done to ensure building safety in Accra. The continuous collapse of buildings shows that some developers still ignore construction regulations and put profit before safety,” the respondent said.

The resident attributed many of the incidents to the use of poor-quality construction materials, inadequate supervision and failure to adhere to approved building designs.

“Authorities should strengthen inspections, enforce building laws strictly and punish developers who fail to meet safety standards,” the resident stressed.

The respondent further recommended that only qualified engineers and contractors be permitted to undertake construction projects and that buildings be monitored throughout every stage of development.

“Developers must act responsibly by using quality materials, following approved plans and ensuring proper safety checks before buildings are occupied,” the resident added.

A third resident echoed similar concerns, describing the current response to building collapses as reactive rather than preventive.

“Honestly, I don’t think enough is being done about this issue because every time a building collapses, people talk about it for a few days and then everything goes quiet until the next incident happens,” the respondent observed.

The growing concerns from residents come amid increasing calls for authorities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and improve accountability within the construction sector. Many believe that without stricter oversight, regular inspections and tougher penalties for non-compliance, building collapses will continue to pose a significant threat to lives and property in Accra and across the country.