The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to intensify the enforcement of building regulations in light of the recent collapse of a three-storey building at Avenor in North Kaneshie, which has resulted in two fatalities thus far.
During a press briefing following his inspection of the site on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the Minister emphasised that district assemblies are the primary entities responsible for issuing building permits and overseeing construction projects, and they must ensure strict adherence to approved plans.
“Regarding building permits, the responsibility lies with the district assembly. This is why I am appealing to the Local Government Ministry and the district assemblies to rise to the occasion.
“The district assemblies need to be proactive, and I trust that my colleague, the Local Government Minister, will also take action by engaging with the MMDCEs to ensure that unauthorised constructions are halted,” he remarked.
He further stated that developers who obtain permits must strictly follow the approved specifications without any deviations.
“Those who have permits should adhere to the specifications that were approved and refrain from making any alterations to what has been sanctioned,” he reiterated.
The building, which reportedly housed both commercial and residential tenants, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and other emergency response teams are currently on-site conducting rescue operations and evaluating the extent of the damage.
Authorities have confirmed two deaths so far, with several others sustaining injuries.
Rescue teams continue to sift through the debris as investigations into the cause of the collapse commence.
