Parliament has demanded a full-scale investigation and prosecution of engineers responsible for the tragic collapse of a building at Accra Newtown, underscoring urgent concerns over accountability in Ghana’s construction sector.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, who visited the disaster site, said the collapse highlights systemic failures in project supervision and the need to hold engineers responsible for safeguarding lives.
“It calls into question the way we supervise projects and construction in this country. Time and time again, it is only when structures collapse and lives are lost that the issue is discussed, yet little is done afterwards. Engineers supervising these structures must be held accountable,” he stated.
The tragedy occurred on Sunday, 29 March 2026, when an old school building near the Experimental Junior High School, reportedly being used as a makeshift place of worship caved in, killing three people and trapping 23 others, including three minors.
Emergency teams from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), alongside local residents, conducted rapid rescue operations.
Twenty victims were safely recovered and rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.
Construction experts argue that such incidents are often the result of inadequate oversight, use of sub-standard materials and regulatory lapses.
“Accountability is not optional. Engineers, contractors, and regulators all have a duty to safeguard lives. Failure to act puts everyone at risk,” said an anonymous civil engineer familiar with the case.
Local residents described chaotic scenes as families scrambled to free victims from the rubble.
The GNFS confirmed that its first and second rescue teams arrived within 20 minutes of the distress call, highlighting the speed of emergency response even as structural oversight failures remain evident.
Mr. Mahama Ayariga extended condolences to the families affected and warned that without stringent enforcement of building codes, tragedies like this will continue to claim lives.
“Ghana cannot continue to wait for disasters to expose weaknesses in our construction sector. Those responsible must face the full weight of the law,” he emphasised.
As investigations unfold, attention now turns to the engineers, contractors, and regulatory authorities responsible for the collapsed structure, with Parliament and the public demanding swift action to prevent future loss of life.
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