Preliminary investigations into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region have revealed that the developers proceeded with construction without the required statutory approvals and ignored stop-work directives issued by regulatory authorities.
The findings were contained in a joint statement released on Monday, June 8, 2026, by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives of 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 project lacked essential approvals, including building permits, approved architectural and structural drawings, and other mandatory technical documentation required for construction.
“The project was undertaken without the requisite statutory approvals, including approved architectural and structural engineering drawings, building permits, and other mandatory technical documentation,” the statement noted.
Investigators further found that the developers defied official stop-work orders issued by the Municipal Assembly and continued construction activities despite regulatory interventions.
The building collapsed on June 3, trapping five occupants under the rubble. The victims were identified as Margaret Kpeli, Fred Atagba, Solomon, Seyeram Dzigda, and David Dzigda. Through a coordinated rescue effort, four of the occupants—Fred Atagba, Solomon, Seyeram Dzigda, and David Dzigda—were rescued alive and transported to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.
The committee disclosed that an additional floor was being constructed at the time of the collapse. The unauthorised extension reportedly placed excessive stress on a structure that had not been designed to support the extra load.
Investigators also discovered that parts of the building remained occupied while construction work was ongoing, significantly increasing the risk to occupants.
Several structural defects were identified, including discontinuous load-bearing columns, poor-quality concrete, inadequate support systems, and improperly detailed reinforcement. These deficiencies are believed to have contributed to the failure of the structure.
According to the report, the pattern of failure was consistent with a progressive or “pancake” collapse, where the failure of key structural components triggers the collapse of multiple floors in succession.
Samples of concrete and steel reinforcement have been taken for laboratory testing to determine whether the materials met approved engineering standards.
The committee has recommended that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) secure the site and supervise the safe demolition of unstable sections of the building to prevent further danger to the public.
The investigators stressed that the incident highlights the urgent need for strict adherence to building regulations, proper professional supervision, and stronger enforcement of construction standards to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Source: citinews
