Cape Coast: Another Storey Building Collapses, Killing One Woman – When Will We Learn?
A few years ago, I remember standing under the blazing sun in Adabraka, Accra, just watching a crew demolish an old structure that had started to tilt. I was just passing by, but the sight stuck with me. One of the guys near me muttered, “If they hadn’t come in time, this place would’ve turned into a graveyard.” That moment always comes to mind whenever I hear news like this. And sadly, here we are again—this time, in Cape Coast.
Another storey building. Another collapse. Another life lost.
Honestly, it’s becoming too familiar. According to reports, a woman has died after a storey building came crashing down in Cape Coast. Just like that. Someone’s sister, maybe someone’s mom, or even a neighbour you greet every morning. Gone.
And here’s the thing—every time this happens, we act shocked. We tweet. We rage. We post black squares. And then… silence. Like clockwork.
I’ve never built a house (not yet, anyway), but I’ve helped mix concrete with some mason friends for small gigs. I’ve seen how corners are cut—literally. Cement is expensive, iron rods cost an arm and a leg, and everyone’s just trying to save a cedi or two. But cutting corners when it comes to structures that people live in? That’s not just risky—it’s reckless.
You know, I might be wrong, but it feels like no one really checks these buildings unless something goes wrong. And even then, the focus is more on what happened instead of why it happened. Was the building approved? Was it inspected? Was it old? Weak foundation? Or just pure negligence?
We can’t keep losing lives like this and calling them accidents. It’s not an “accident” when we’ve seen the warning signs before. It’s more like a disaster waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I keep thinking about that woman. What was she doing moments before the building gave way? Was she cooking? On a call? Laughing? We’ll never know. But what we do know is that her death was preventable.
And that’s the painful part.
In my experience, Ghana has no shortage of laws or professionals. What we lack is consistent enforcement and the will to say, “No, this isn’t safe.” I mean, if we can check cars for insurance and license daily, can’t we do the same for buildings that house families?
I’m not here to point fingers—well, maybe a little—but mostly, I’m here wondering: When will we start taking these things seriously?
How many more buildings need to fall before we decide that every life is worth protecting?
What if the next one collapses while you or I are just walking by?
That’s the thought that keeps me up some nights.
So, I guess I’ll leave you with this: What kind of country do we want to be—the one that reacts after the damage is done, or the one that prevents the damage in the first place?
Because right now, the answer feels painfully obvious.
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