Building Collapse in Cape Coast Claims One Life, Injures Another
A recent building collapse in Cape Coast resulted in one death and one hospitalization, sparking urgent calls for building safety reforms. Local officials are responding by initiating demolitions of unsafe structures and urging residents to maintain their properties. The situation highlights a need for better oversight to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Cape Coast has been shaken by another tragic building collapse, bringing a grim wave of devastation to residents. A mud structure, the family house of Allotey Jacobs, a past Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, fell down in the Amisakyir fishing community in the early hours of Wednesday, around 2:00 AM. Sadly, this incident led to the death of a 74-year-old woman, Ernestina Nduom, while her 18-year-old grandson, Frederick, remains hospitalized after the accident.
This building collapse marks the second such occurrence in less than a week, alarming many in the region. Emergency services promptly initiated a rescue operation, with personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Police, and Fire Service working together to free the trapped victims. Despite their quick rescue efforts, Nduom was later pronounced dead at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, which added to the sorrow felt by the community.
Justice George Arthur, the Mayor of Cape Coast, arrived at the scene shortly after receiving news from a local Assembly member. Upon arrival, he witnessed the aftermath of the collapse and the plight of the victims trapped under debris. He promptly contacted security and building inspectors for assistance. The Mayor also visited Nduom and her grandson at the hospital, paying for their medical bills and ensuring that their welfare was taken care of.
In a somber note, Mayor Arthur stated that while he was informed Nduom was stable at first, he received a call shortly thereafter that she had passed away. “When I got there, the woman was alive and responding to treatment, but after I have left five minutes later… it is indeed pathetic,” he remarked, expressing the community’s heartache.
Following consultations with victims and assessments of surrounding buildings, Arthur ordered the demolition of dilapidated structures in the area, leading to four buildings being taken down already, with at least seven more on the list.
As families mourned the loss, appeals for support were heard; local official Justice Nana Kwasi Agyemang remarked that nearby structures are currently under examination for potential demolition to prevent further tragedies. He urged residents to regularly maintain their properties, highlighting a common misconception among homeowners that neglecting property upkeep is acceptable.
“People think it is a family house and see no need to invest in maintenance, but that negligence often leads to the collapse of buildings,” he warned. Affected residents salvaged their belongings, preparing for demolition activities while seeking assistance from government bodies and NADMO.
Regional NADMO Public Relations Officer Samuel Essel also called on the public to provide logistics and relief items. Meanwhile, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional Area, visited the scene to express sympathy for the families impacted by this disaster. This situation certainly has left a mark on the community, highlighting not just the need for support but also for better building standards and regular maintenance.
In summary, Cape Coast recently faced another tragic building collapse that killed one and injured another. The Mayor and local officials have launched efforts to address building safety in the area, urging residents to prioritize maintenance. As the community grieves, support mechanisms are being mobilized to aid those affected, underscoring the urgent need for better building regulations in the region to prevent future incidents.
Original Source: mobile.ghanaweb.com
