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🇬🇭 Ghana /Disasters & Emergencies

70-year-old Osu death trap demolished; 15 more to go

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A 70-year-old dilapidated building in Osu, Ghana, has been demolished by city authorities.
  • The structure was one of 16 identified as defective and posing a threat to residents.
  • Despite previous notices, owners eventually agreed to the demolition, which was supervised by the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly.

City authorities in Accra have demolished a 70-year-old dilapidated four-storey building in Osu, located within the Korle Klottey Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. The demolition was carried out by the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) and supervised by officials from various agencies, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Prisons Service, and the Ghana Police Service.

The building was part of a list of 16 defective structures identified by KoKMA as posing a significant threat to residents. Concerns had been raised by locals about the building's deteriorating condition. Mr. Anthony Komasi, Head of Works at the Assembly, stated that owners had received numerous notices over the years urging them to either renovate or demolish the structure.

We have engaged them for a long time and notices have been served on the owners. Considering the season, it was necessary to bring the building down.

— Anthony KomasiMr. Anthony Komasi, Head of Works at the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, explains the necessity of the demolition.

Komasi explained that a final notice was issued in April, requiring occupants to vacate the premises. Although some residents remained until recently, they eventually left after learning the Assembly was proceeding with the demolition. The Assembly acted under its legal authority, derived from building regulations and by-laws, to order the demolition of structures endangering the public.

While the family owning the building eventually agreed to conduct the demolition themselves, with the Assembly providing technical supervision, Komasi noted that disagreements among family members had previously delayed the process. Structural engineers confirmed severe structural failure, with cracking columns, corroding iron rods, and failing slabs, exacerbated by the building's proximity to the sea causing salty conditions and accelerating rust. Komasi cautioned property owners against ignoring signs of deterioration.

You can clearly see the columns cracking and deteriorating, with the iron rods inside corroding, meaning the structure could no longer be supported.

— Anthony KomasiMr. Anthony Komasi describes the severe structural damage found in the building.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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