Developers Ignored Stop-Work Orders Before Adenta Building Collapse – Investigation
June 8,2026
A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site has revealed that the developers proceeded with construction despite lacking the required statutory approvals and ignoring stop-work directives issued by regulatory authorities.
The findings were disclosed in a statement released on Monday, June 8, by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC).
According to the committee, the project was undertaken without approved architectural and structural drawings, building permits, and other mandatory technical documentation required under Ghana’s construction regulations.
Investigators further found that official stop-work notices issued by the Municipal Assembly were disregarded, allowing construction activities to continue despite repeated regulatory interventions.
The building collapsed on Wednesday, June 3, trapping five occupants beneath the rubble. The victims were identified as Margaret Kpeli, Fred Atagba, Solomon, Seyeram Dzigda, and David Dzigda. Through a coordinated rescue operation, four of the occupants were pulled out alive and transported to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.
The committee's preliminary report indicated that an additional floor was being constructed on the building at the time of the incident. Investigators described the extension as an unauthorised vertical addition that placed excessive stress on a structure that was not designed to carry the extra load.
The report also revealed that parts of the building remained occupied while construction work was ongoing, exposing residents to heightened safety risks.
Several structural deficiencies were identified during the investigation, including discontinuous load-bearing columns, poor-quality concrete, inadequate support systems, and improperly detailed reinforcement. These weaknesses are believed to have significantly contributed to the collapse.
According to the committee, the nature of the failure is consistent with a progressive, or "pancake," collapse, where the failure of one structural element triggers a chain reaction, causing multiple floors to cave in.
Samples of concrete and steel reinforcement have been collected for laboratory testing to determine whether the materials met approved engineering standards.
The committee has recommended that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) secure the site and supervise the safe demolition of unstable sections of the structure to prevent further danger to residents and the public.
The investigators noted that the incident highlights the urgent need for strict adherence to building regulations, professional oversight, and stronger enforcement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
