A building collapse in Sokoban Wood Village, Asokwa Municipality, on October 20, 2024, has left one person dead and four others severely injured.
The incident highlights significant gaps in emergency response and building safety oversight.
Despite the quick arrival of the Ghana Police Service and Ghana National Fire Service, rescue efforts were hindered by malfunctioning equipment.
According to eyewitness and local contractor Mr. Boadi, the machinery meant to cut through the debris was blunt, delaying the extraction of those trapped.
“If there had been a chance to save the victim, the faulty equipment would have prevented it,” Boadi lamented, noting that local residents had to assist using less effective tools.
The collapse, which claimed one life, occurred in a neglected building with a weak foundation. Four injured victims were rushed to the hospital, while the building’s owner was absent during the tragedy.
Concerns over safety inspection protocols in Asokwa have been raised, with critics arguing that inspections focus on permits rather than structural integrity. The building had recently changed ownership, but no repairs were made.
