Interior Minister Blames Weak Enforcement by Assemblies After Avenor Building Collapse Kills Two

Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed‑Mubarak has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to tighten enforcement of building regulations following the collapse of a three‑storey structure at Avenor in North Kaneshie, which has claimed two lives.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting the site on Sunday, June 7, the Minister stressed that district assemblies remain the primary authorities responsible for issuing building permits and supervising construction, and must ensure strict adherence to approved plans.

“In terms of building permits, it is the district assembly. That is why I am calling on the Local Government Ministry and the district assemblies to rise up to the occasion,” he said.

He called on MMDCEs to intensify monitoring and clamp down on unauthorized developments.

“The district assemblies should be up and doing. Those that do not have authorization and are building must be stopped.”

The Minister also warned that developers who obtain permits must not deviate from the approved specifications.

“Those who have permits should go according to the specification that was approved and not do anything other than what is approved.”

The collapsed building, which reportedly housed both commercial and residential occupants, came down in the early hours of Sunday, prompting a major search‑and‑rescue operation.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, NADMO, and other emergency agencies remain at the scene, combing through the rubble and assessing the extent of damage.

Authorities have so far confirmed two fatalities, with several others injured. Rescue efforts are ongoing as investigations begin into the cause of the collapse.

— CitiNewsRoom