Several individuals have reportedly been trapped after the collapse of a building under construction at the premises of the Architectural Engineering Group at Roman Ridge in Accra.

The incident, which occurred today, Tuesday, October 28, has sent workers and nearby residents into panic. This was contained in a post by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Facebook. Efforts are currently underway to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble.

“Happening Now... The building has collapsed at the Architectural Engineering Group, Roman Ridge. People trapped inside. Rescue team from GNFS Headquarters are putting up their best to rescue the victims. More details soon,” the GNFS wrote.

Meanwhile, authorities are expected to launch an investigation to ascertain what caused the building’s collapse. Ghana has witnessed multiple fatalities and severe injuries resulting from devastating building collapses. These incidents have raised significant concerns among professionals in the built environment about construction standards, prompting calls for immediate action. In 2024, four individuals lost their lives after a three-storey building at Kasoa New Market in the Awutu Senya East Municipality in the Central Region collapsed.

Eyewitnesses described the tragic event, noting that the victims included young workers and trainees. "The sad incident happened at Kasoa. This three-storey building collapsed and four people have died; may their souls rest in peace. This is so sad. Some are young girls learning trade as well as workers. This happened at the Kasoa New Market."

According to eyewitnesses, the three-storey building caved in while workers were on the second floor. Among the deceased was a carpenter who died on the spot. The other deceased lost their lives while being transported to the hospital.

A mason in his early forties lost his life on July 17, 2024, while working on a two-storey building in Sewua, Ashanti Region. The deceased, Kwaku Gyemfi, was the lead constructor at the site. Witnesses reported that Gyemfi was attempting to reinforce collapsing pillars when the structure failed. His assistant had warned him of the impending collapse, but he was trapped before he could escape.

A school building in Adeiso, Upper West Akim District, Eastern Region, collapsed on February 15, 2024, during a rainstorm. The collapse injured 10 out of 50 students present, with four suffering severe injuries. Despite ongoing concerns about the building's deteriorating condition, no preventive measures were taken. The incident occurred as students and teachers sought shelter during a sports event.

In West Legon, Accra, a two-storey shop complex collapsed during a fire incident, injuring four firefighters from the Legon Fire Station. The fire service had responded to a distress call about a blaze at the location. The collapse occurred as they were working to extinguish the fire. Two of the injured firefighters were treated at the University of Ghana Medical Centre for their critical conditions.

Earlier this month, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) spent more than two hours rescuing a construction worker trapped under a collapsed building at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region. The old residential structure was reportedly undergoing renovation by masons hired by the owner of the building.

In a similar development, pit collapse at an illegal mining site at Kasotie in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday night, October 1, claimed the lives of seven illegal miners who were trapped underground.

According to reports, the pit collapse, which occurred on Wednesday night, October 1, also left four injured, while several miners were feared trapped. Meanwhile, rescue efforts were carried out by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in collaboration with emergency services and local volunteers.

For years, the country's efforts to nip the canker in the bud have not yielded the needed results. Among recent measures taken to protect water bodies from illegal miners is the deployment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

The Secretariat includes the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), the Narcotics Control Commission, and the National Security Secretariat.

Addressing the security forces, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Amarh Kofi-Buah, directed the team to ruthlessly counter the activities of galamsey operators as they are the enemies of the state. “Any recalcitrant entering into these zones is not merely a trespasser. They are an enemy of the state. You are to be firm. You are to be resolute. You are to be ruthless.

"And please, take it from me, you will take no obstructionist instruction from any big man. Remember, the biggest man in Ghana is the President of the Republic, and he’s the one who has sent you,” Mr Kofi-Buah charged.