A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has revealed that the project was carried out without the required regulatory approvals and in defiance of official stop-work directives issued by local authorities.
The findings were released by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC).
According to the committee, the incident highlights serious violations of Ghana’s building regulations and raises concerns about compliance and enforcement within the construction sector.
The building collapsed on June 3, 2026, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children. Rescue teams successfully pulled four individuals from the rubble alive and transported them to the 37 Military Hospital for medical treatment.
Investigators revealed that the developers failed to obtain critical statutory approvals before commencing construction. These included approved architectural designs, structural engineering drawings, building permits and other mandatory technical documentation required under Ghanaian construction laws.
The committee further disclosed that municipal authorities had previously issued stop-work orders on the project. However, construction activities reportedly continued despite the directives, exposing workers and occupants to significant danger.
One of the key findings of the investigation was the discovery that an additional floor was being added to the structure at the time of the collapse. The committee described the extension as an unauthorized vertical expansion that placed excessive stress on a building not originally designed to carry the extra load.
The report also noted that parts of the building remained occupied while construction work was ongoing, increasing the risk to residents and visitors.
Technical assessments identified several structural weaknesses that may have contributed to the disaster. These included poor-quality concrete, inadequate reinforcement detailing, discontinuous load-bearing columns and insufficient structural support systems.
According to investigators, the collapse exhibited characteristics of a progressive structural failure, commonly known as a “pancake collapse,” where the failure of one structural element triggers the collapse of multiple floors in succession.
To determine whether construction materials met engineering standards, samples of concrete and steel reinforcement have been collected and sent for laboratory testing.
The committee has recommended that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) secure the site and supervise the safe demolition of unstable sections of the structure to prevent additional incidents.
Officials say the tragedy underscores the importance of adhering to approved building standards, obtaining the necessary permits and ensuring professional supervision throughout the construction process.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to release a comprehensive report after the completion of technical assessments and laboratory analyses.
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Adenta Building Collapse Linked to Illegal Construction and Ignored Stop-Work Orders
A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has revealed that the project was carried out without the required regulatory approvals and in defiance of official stop-work directives issued by local authorities. The findings were released by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC). According to the committee, the incident highlights serious violations of Ghana’s building regulations and raises concerns about compliance and enforcement within the construction sector. The building collapsed on June 3, 2026, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children. Rescue teams successfully pulled four individuals from the rubble alive and transported them to the […]
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