The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has declared its intention to initiate a comprehensive assessment of ageing buildings nationwide in response to the recent collapse of five structures in Cape Coast, Central Region.

This proactive measure aims to avert future tragedies and ensure public safety.

Richard Amo Yartey, the Director of NADMO’s Inspectorate Unit, shared these plans during an interview with Citi News while overseeing the distribution of relief supplies to victims affected by building collapse in Cape Coast.

“Across the country, we don’t have structures collapsing all over the country. But then, this is an eye-opener, a wake-up call for us to start doing some assessment on very old structures which have not seen maintenance for a very long while. So that we don’t wake up to hear some of these things happening in other places in Ghana. Cape Coast is going to start, and it has to be replicated in other parts of the country to ensure that old structures that have not seen maintenance for many years do not collapse suddenly, with people dying. It’s very sad that we lost people,” Mr. Yartey stated.

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In light of the recent flooding disasters, NADMO has reported a concerning rise in the number of municipalities in the Central Region affected by flooding, increasing from 11 to 14 in just a day.

According to the latest assessment, flooding has impacted over 5,000 individuals, with 124 people displaced due to the recent building collapses in Cape Coast.

The newly identified areas suffering from flooding include districts known for illegal mining activities, raising concerns about the stability of structures in these regions.

Kwesi Dawood, the Central Regional NADMO Director, conveyed the urgency of the situation, stating, “The region is in distress and in need of more relief items.”

He emphasised the necessity for immediate support to assist those who have lost their homes and possessions in recent disasters.

As NADMO prepares to launch its building assessment initiative, the organisation is calling for enhanced vigilance and maintenance of older structures across the country, ensuring that the safety of citizens is prioritised to prevent further loss of life.