16 buildings within Greater Accra Region to be demolished – Interior Minister announces

The government has announced plans to demolish 16 structurally compromised buildings across the Greater Accra Region as part of efforts to prevent further building-related disasters and protect lives and property.

The announcement was made by Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak following the collapse of a three-storey building at Avenor in North Kaneshie on Sunday, June 7, which claimed two lives and left three others injured.

The tragic incident has renewed public concern over the safety of ageing and poorly maintained structures within the capital and raised questions about compliance with building regulations.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the collapse site, Mr. Muntaka disclosed that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) had identified 16 buildings in Greater Accra that have been deemed unsafe and require immediate demolition.

According to him, authorities have already begun the process of evacuating occupants from the affected structures ahead of the planned demolition exercise.

“Currently, NADMO has identified about 16 buildings within the Greater Accra Region that have to come down. We are going to ensure that, coming into the week, they will go and get all those buildings down,” he stated.

The Interior Minister explained that the exercise forms part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing preventable disasters and strengthening public safety measures across the region.

“We are currently doing the evacuations, and they must bring all those buildings down. I mean, some things are natural, and God will take care of the supernatural, but for the natural ones, we have to take care of them,” he added.

Mr. Muntaka stressed the need for stricter enforcement of building standards and safety regulations, noting that authorities have a responsibility to address known risks before they result in tragedy.

The demolition exercise is expected to be carried out in collaboration with relevant local authorities, engineering experts, and emergency management agencies to ensure the safe removal of the affected structures.

The latest move highlights government efforts to improve disaster preparedness and prevent future incidents as concerns continue to grow over the structural integrity of some buildings in urban communities across Greater Accra.