Govt launches committee to probe rising building collapses across Ghana

The government has launched an investigation into the recent increase in fatal building collapses across the country, with authorities pledging stricter oversight and greater accountability within the construction sector.

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has inaugurated a 13-member Committee of Inquiry tasked with examining the causes of the incidents and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the minister said building collapses often point to broader systemic failures rather than merely structural defects.

“The collapse of a building is not merely a structural failure. It is often a failure of systems, processes, oversight and accountability. We owe it to the victims and future generations to ensure that the lessons from these incidents lead to meaningful reforms,” he stated.

The committee has been mandated to investigate a range of factors that may have contributed to the incidents, including structural deficiencies, the use of substandard building materials, design flaws, poor construction practices, environmental degradation, climate-related influences, human negligence and institutional lapses.

Mr Mohammed-Mubarak urged members of the committee to conduct their work with professionalism, objectivity, independence and integrity. He stressed the need for practical and evidence-based recommendations that can be effectively implemented.

According to the minister, the inquiry should not only identify the causes of the collapses but also contribute to improving construction standards, strengthening regulatory oversight, enhancing enforcement mechanisms and building safer communities.

He called on government institutions, professional bodies, developers, property owners and the general public to cooperate fully with the committee throughout the investigation.

The minister also issued a strong warning against negligence in the construction industry.

“The era of impunity for unsafe buildings is over,” he declared.

Chairman of the committee, Brigadier General B F Kusi, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the team and assured the minister that members would undertake a comprehensive investigation.

He said the committee’s findings and recommendations would serve as a roadmap for improving building safety standards and preventing similar tragedies in the future.