{"id":24003,"date":"2026-04-01T08:48:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expressnewsghana.com\/?p=24003"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:48:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:48:53","slug":"neglect-and-ignored-warnings-the-silent-killers-behind-ghanas-building-collapses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expressnewsghana.com\/?p=24003","title":{"rendered":"Neglect and Ignored Warnings: The Silent Killers Behind Ghana\u2019s Building Collapses"},"content":{"rendered":"

The recurring tragedies of structural failures across Ghana are not acts of God or sudden accidents, but rather the predictable culmination of years of systemic neglect and ignored warning signs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This stark assessment was delivered by Engineer John Amoah, the Northern Sector Chairman of the Institutions and Engineering Technology Ghana (IET-GH) and Head of Estates Development at St. John Bosco Training College, Navrongo.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Bolga FM\u2019s Tingmaalgo Sanga on March 31, 2026, Engineer Amoah challenged the public perception that buildings fail spontaneously.<\/p>\n

He asserted that structural failure is almost always a progressive process, where minor issues like hairline cracks, water seepage, or foundation settlement are allowed to fester until they reach a catastrophic breaking point.<\/p>\n

\u200b”Buildings do not collapse spontaneously; structural failure is usually a progressive process,” Mr. Amoah explained.<\/p>\n

He noted that the typical lifespan of iron reinforcement is approximately 50 years, meaning many older structures in Ghana are currently reaching a critical threshold of vulnerability. “Over time, steel reinforcement corrodes, especially when maintenance is neglected.<\/p>\n

Most building collapses we see today are the results of gradual weakening, not sudden failure.”<\/p>\n

The engineer identified a lethal triad of neglect, substandard materials, and poor decision-making as the primary drivers of these disasters.<\/p>\n

He pointed out that property owners frequently ignore early warning signs to save on costs, unaware that this neglect accelerates the degradation of vital structural components.<\/p>\n

This is often compounded by the use of inferior cement, sand, and steel, which compromises the integrity of the building from the very first day of construction.<\/p>\n

Beyond the physical materials, Mr. Amoah pointed to a crisis of professional and ethical oversight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He argued that many collapses are rooted in inadequate designs, the blatant flouting of building codes, and the engagement of unqualified contractors.<\/p>\n

He did not mince words regarding the role of ethics in the industry, stating that corruption and shortcuts in procurement or construction processes inevitably lead to poor decisions that cost lives.<\/p>\n

To turn the tide, Engineer Amoah called for a shift in national consciousness toward professional vigilance and public awareness.<\/p>\n

He concluded his address with a firm reminder that ensuring building safety is not a one-time event but a continuous responsibility.<\/p>\n

According to the IET-GH Chairman, the path forward requires a rigid commitment to quality materials, sound engineering practices, and proactive oversight to address defects long before they become headlines.<\/p>\n

Source: Joseph Napoleon Anaaya<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The recurring tragedies of structural failures across Ghana are not acts of God or sudden accidents, but rather the predictable culmination of years of systemic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[4474],"class_list":["post-24003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-news","tag-neglect-engineering-collapse-structure"],"yoast_head":"\nNeglect and Ignored Warnings: The Silent Killers Behind Ghana\u2019s Building Collapses - Express News Ghana<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/expressnewsghana.com\/?p=24003\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Neglect and Ignored Warnings: The Silent Killers Behind Ghana\u2019s Building Collapses - 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