Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has expressed sympathy to victims and families affected by the collapse of a mosque building at Avenor in Accra, while urging stricter adherence to building regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Vice President made the remarks after visiting the scene of the incident on Sunday June 7,alongside the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, and the Greater Accra Regional Minister to assess the situation and receive updates from emergency response teams conducting rescue operations.
According to Professor Opoku-Agyemang, preliminary briefings from officials at the scene indicated that two individuals had been successfully rescued from the rubble, while efforts were continuing to locate and rescue other persons believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Vice President conveyed her deepest condolences to those affected by the incident.
“We learnt that two individuals had been rescued, while efforts were ongoing to reach others believed to be trapped under the rubble. On behalf of government, I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families,” she stated.
The Vice President commended the various emergency agencies involved in the rescue operation for their swift response and professionalism.
She praised personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service, the National Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Assembly and other emergency responders working tirelessly at the scene.
She also singled out residents and community members for their prompt intervention immediately after the collapse occurred, noting that their support played a critical role in the initial rescue efforts before official emergency teams arrived.
“I wish to express my special appreciation to the residents and ordinary citizens who immediately stepped forward to assist before and after the emergency teams arrived,” she said.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang stressed that the government’s immediate priority remains saving lives and providing assistance to those directly affected by the disaster.
“At this stage, our focus remains on rescuing more potential victims and supporting those affected,” she noted.
Beyond the ongoing rescue efforts, the Vice President underscored the need for greater attention to preventive measures, emphasizing that compliance with existing regulations is essential to safeguarding lives and property.
She observed that laws and regulations governing construction, land use, and building safety are designed to protect citizens and must be respected by all stakeholders, including property owners, developers, contractors, and public authorities responsible for enforcement.
According to her, proper planning, strict adherence to approved building standards, and effective enforcement of safety regulations are critical in reducing the occurrence of building collapses and related disasters.
“Rules and regulations exist to protect lives and property, and we must all be willing to comply with them and support their enforcement. Proper planning and adherence to building standards and safety regulations governing construction and land use are essential to reducing such incidents,” she stated.
The collapse has sparked renewed concerns about structural integrity, compliance with building codes, and enforcement mechanisms in urban communities, as rescue teams continue efforts to account for all persons who may have been trapped in the debris.
Authorities are expected to conduct investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse to determine its cause and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
By 1960news.com
