A multi-storey building in Osu has been demolished by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) after a partial collapse raised concerns about a possible total structural failure.
The demolition exercise, conducted on Monday, June 8, involved personnel from NADMO, the Ghana National Fire Service and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly. Following inspections, authorities declared the more than 50-year-old structure unsafe and a serious threat to public safety.
Heavy-duty excavators were deployed to the site to bring down the weakened building after engineers and emergency officials concluded that the structure had become unstable and could collapse further at any time.
The decision followed a partial collapse of the building on Sunday, which triggered panic among residents, workers and business owners in the area. The incident prompted an immediate response from emergency services, who cordoned off the site and conducted safety assessments.
Officials said the demolition was necessary to prevent potential casualties and protect nearby properties, particularly because the building was located within the busy commercial district of Osu, where pedestrian and vehicular activity is usually high.
According to authorities, the exercise forms part of broader efforts to identify and remove dangerous structures that pose risks to the public, especially following a number of building-related incidents recorded across parts of the Greater Accra Region in recent years.
They added that inspections of other ageing buildings are expected to continue to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to prevent similar occurrences.
The authorities have urged property owners to regularly assess the structural integrity of older buildings and undertake necessary maintenance to avoid endangering lives and property.
