Revealed : The Building That Collapsed In Adenta Was Illegally Extended

The Engineering Council of Ghana's preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-story building in the Adentan Municipality revealed that the building's proprietor illegally extended the permitted storey.
On Friday, a team from the Council visited the catastrophe site and discovered that the building's permitted height was two stories, but the "owner extended it to three without a permit."


Mr. Wise Ametefe, the Registrar of the Council, told the Ghana News Agency on Friday that the Council will begin detailed investigations on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 to determine the cause of the disaster.

Friday morning, it was reported that one individual perished after becoming entombed in the debris of the collapsed building in Nanakrom, Adentan Municipality.

The catastrophe occurred less than a week after a similar three-story building collapsed in Madina, Greater Accra, killing one individual and injuring three others.


Mr. Ametefe stated that the Council had instructed site employees not to "disturb the composition of the rubbles" in order to facilitate investigations.

"We will examine the foundation to determine if there is a problem with the foundation. We will examine the concrete and, if feasible, the reinforcement as well," he said.

Mr. Ametefe stated that the Adentan Municipal Assembly informed the Council that they had approved the structure, but it appears that the owner went beyond what was permitted.

"The permitted height was two stories, but the owner added a third story on his own," he explained.

Mr. Ametefe stated that the outcome of the investigations would determine whether or not any wrongdoing occurred, thereby informing potential sanctions.

The Engineering Council, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Works and Housing, regulates the practice of engineering and ensures the highest professional standards in engineering practice.