Ofankor: Three-storey building under construction collapses

 

On Saturday, September 23, a three-story building under construction behind Ofankor Market, near Asofan, tragically collapsed. While the exact cause of the collapse remains uncertain, sources speculate that heavy rains from the previous day may have played a role. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

A vigilant worker at the site noticed signs of an impending collapse and promptly raised the alarm, allowing everyone to evacuate safely. The Ghana National Fire Service's (GNFS) Public Relations Department is actively investigating the incident, but at this time, they cannot confirm whether the building possessed a valid construction permit.

ADO1 Alex King Nartey, the GNFS spokesperson, expressed concerns about the quality of materials used in the collapsed building. He stated that tenants reported no ongoing construction for about six months, but a neighbor mentioned recent plastering work before the collapse, leading to contradictions in accounts.

Nartey emphasized that the actual cause of the collapse is yet to be determined but raised doubts about the use of proper building materials and adherence to safety precautions. While tenants attributed the incident to the previous day's heavy rains, Nartey expressed skepticism, suggesting that such rainfall should not have caused the entire building to collapse.