A lecturer at the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Camynta Baezie, has attributed the recent collapse of an uncompleted public school building at Accra Newtown to negligence and structural defects.
The tragic incident, which claimed three lives and left several others injured, has reignited concerns over building safety and regulatory enforcement in Ghana.
Speaking in an interview on Gold Morning Conversation, Dr. Baezie stressed that building collapses are not accidental but are often the result of identifiable failures. “Buildings don’t just collapse; they collapse when there is a structural defect,” he stated.
Dr. Baezie linked the incident to the absence of effective building inspection systems, which he said continues to enable the construction of unsafe structures. According to him, weak regulatory oversight has allowed developers to bypass standard procedures,
resulting in compromised buildings.
He further revealed that the situation is worsened by the engagement of underqualified artisans, leading to the use of substandard construction methods and inadequate materials.
Dr. Baezie maintained that the Accra Newtown collapse was a clear case of negligence, insisting that such tragedies can be prevented with stricter enforcement of building regulations.
He called for accountability, urging authorities within whose jurisdictions such projects are undertaken, as well as building owners, to be thoroughly investigated to ensure compliance with approved construction standards.
The KNUST lecturer also emphasized the need for strict sanctions against those found culpable, noting that punitive measures would serve as a deterrent to others and help curb the growing incidence of building collapses.
The incident adds to a worrying pattern of structural failures across the country, raising urgent questions about enforcement, professional standards, and public safety.
Story By: Rejoice Quaye(Intern, UCC) and Errah Salifu Razak(Intern, UNIMAC)
