Rescue efforts following the collapse of a three-storey building at Avenor in North Kaneshie in the Greater Accra Region have come under criticism over what local authorities describe as a slow and disorganised emergency response.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, June 7, opposite the Ashfoam showroom and adjacent to Melcom Plus, left one person dead, while others are still feared trapped under the rubble.
Emergency teams, including personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), continue to work at the scene with support from other security agencies, as heavy-duty equipment is deployed to clear the debris and reach possible survivors.
However, the Assembly Member for the Avenor Electoral Area, Alfred Asiedu Adjei, has expressed concern over delays in the response to the disaster, questioning the readiness and coordination of emergency services at a critical moment.
Speaking to Citi News’ Jude Duncan at the scene, he said the situation exposed weaknesses in the country’s emergency response systems.
“One thing I have to dwell on is our response to things. Actually we’ve been here for the past three hours. The first excavator came it was not working. I am not shifting blame to anybody, but at the end of the day, two people are trapped in the rubble,” he said.
He stressed that the delays could have cost lives, noting the urgency of rescue efforts when victims remain trapped.
“So assuming they have even one hour life span for them to live or rescued; three-four hours we’ve been here, everybody was confused. So our response to issues in Ghana is nothing to write home about,” he added.
He further questioned the timing and coordination of the arrival of equipment at the site, arguing that the response should have been faster.
“So factually there was a delay; if this thing happened around 5 O’clock and the machine for the operation just came. You can ask the question that what is happening? Our response to issues is not the best at all,” he said.
Authorities say rescue operations are still ongoing, with emergency teams working around the clock to locate and retrieve any remaining victims believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
The cause of the collapse is yet to be established, and investigations are expected to follow after the completion of rescue efforts.
