Adenta Building Collapse: Developers Defied Regulations and Continued Construction – Probe

A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site has found that the developers proceeded with construction without the necessary approvals and ignored directives from authorities to halt work.

The findings were contained in a report issued on June 8 by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering, the Institution of Engineering and Technology Ghana, and the Architecture Registration Council.

According to the committee, the project lacked key statutory requirements, including approved architectural and structural drawings, building permits and other mandatory technical documentation required for construction.

Investigators also revealed that stop-work notices issued by the municipal authorities were disregarded, with construction activities continuing despite regulatory interventions.

The building collapsed on June 3 at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children.

A coordinated rescue operation successfully retrieved four survivors—Fred Atagba, Solomon, Seyeram Dzigda and David Dzigda—who sustained injuries and were transported to 37 Military Hospital for medical treatment.

The committee disclosed that an additional floor was under construction at the time of the collapse. Investigators believe the unauthorised expansion placed excessive pressure on a structure that had not been designed to support the extra load.

The report further noted that parts of the building remained occupied while construction work was ongoing, significantly increasing the risk to residents.

Several structural defects were identified during the investigation, including discontinuous load-bearing columns, poor-quality concrete, inadequate structural support and improperly detailed reinforcement. These deficiencies are believed to have contributed to the failure of the building.

According to the committee, the pattern of collapse resembled a progressive or “pancake” failure, where the breakdown of key structural elements triggers the collapse of multiple floors in succession.

Concrete and steel reinforcement samples have been collected for laboratory testing to determine whether the materials met approved engineering specifications and construction standards.

The committee recommended that the National Disaster Management Organisation secure the site and supervise the safe demolition of unstable sections of the structure to eliminate any further danger to the public.

Investigators stressed that the incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to building regulations, professional supervision and effective enforcement of construction standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.