The Executive Director of the Bureau of Public Safety, Dr Nana Yaw Akwada, says the New Town building collapse highlights persistent failures in regulatory enforcement and emergency response systems.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Dr Akwada stressed that the tragedy goes beyond a structural failure, pointing to longstanding lapses in enforcing building regulations.

According to him, the issues surrounding building safety and occupancy are not new, but authorities have consistently failed to address the gaps, leading to repeated disasters.

“For a building that was still under construction, there should have been strict controls, including proper certification before public access is allowed,” he noted on Monday, March 30.

He questioned whether the necessary occupancy and safety checks were carried out before the structure was used.

Dr Akwada also raised concerns about the chaotic nature of the scene following the collapse, despite the presence of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.

He observed that some individuals were seen scavenging for metals and other materials at the site, describing the situation as disorganised and poorly managed.

He emphasised the need for authorities to fully enforce emergency response protocols during such incidents to ensure safety and preserve the integrity of investigations.

“In the absence of effective emergency systems, we do not present ourselves as a serious nation,” he stated.

Mr Akwada called for urgent reforms in construction regulation and enforcement to prevent future occurrences.