Concerns grow over unsafe Avenor building
Questions are being raised about the fate of a building marked for demolition in Accra’s North Industrial Area after it remained standing nearly three weeks following a collapse that claimed three lives.
The tragedy prompted emergency interventions and renewed discussions about building safety standards, with authorities identifying an adjoining section of the structure as unsafe and vulnerable to further collapse.
Although cleanup operations have significantly reduced the amount of debris at the site, the weakened building remains in place, drawing concern from residents, business operators and passersby who continue to use the area daily.
During the immediate aftermath of the disaster, officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) indicated that efforts would continue to clear the wreckage and secure the surroundings.
“Now it’s machine work. We want to continue collecting the debris so that tomorrow we can do the business centre and open up the place for business,” Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, Dennis Nartey, said during recovery operations.
A recent visit to the location, however, showed that while much of the rubble has been removed, the structure awaiting demolition remains intact behind safety barricades erected to restrict public access.
According to JoyNews reporter Stephen Mensah, visible signs of structural damage are still evident at the site.
“One of the notable features, once you get to the collapsed building site, will be the barricades. These barricades have surrounded the building that has been earmarked for demolition.”
“You notice iron rods still sticking out of the building. Most of the rubble has been collected, but some rocks and debris remain at the site,” he reported.
Despite concerns about the building’s stability, commercial activity has gradually resumed in nearby areas, with traders and workers returning to their normal routines.
“One of the notable things is that businesses operating right behind the building are actively engaged in trading. You see people going about their normal activities as if everything is normal, even though the building has been earmarked for demolition,” Mensah added.
Authorities have maintained that the demolition process cannot proceed until required technical evaluations and legal procedures are completed. In the meantime, the site remains under monitoring as officials work toward securing final approval for the structure’s removal.
The continued presence of the damaged building has renewed concerns about public safety, particularly as business activities and pedestrian movement increase around the area.
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