One Dead, Another Hospitalized After Building Collapse in Cape Coast

A building collapse in Cape Coast, involving a house owned by Allotey Jacobs, claimed one life and hospitalized another. A 74-year-old woman died, while her grandson, aged 18, received treatment. Mayor George Arthur has initiated a demolition of unsafe structures in response to the increasing concern. The community is mourning and seeking aid for those affected by this tragedy.

Tragedy struck in Cape Coast early Wednesday when a family house belonging to Allotey Jacobs, former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), collapsed, resulting in one death and one hospitalization. The one-story mud structure, located in Amisakyir, collapsed around 2 a.m. while its occupants slept, trapping two individuals under debris.

This unfortunate event marks the second building collapse in the region within a week, raising concerns about building safety. A swift response came from a joint team consisting of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), police, and fire service, who rescued the victims and transported them to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.

Of the victims, 74-year-old Ernestina Nduom, affectionately known as Maame Frema, was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Her 18-year-old grandson, Frederick, remains hospitalized and is undergoing treatment.

Justice George Arthur, the Mayor of Cape Coast, was promptly notified of the incident and arrived at the scene soon after. He recounted, “When I got there, the woman was alive and responding to treatment, but after I left, five minutes later, the doctors called me back to deliver the devastating news to her family. It is indeed pathetic.”

To address the hazardous conditions, Mayor Arthur has ordered immediate demolition of the collapsed building as well as adjacent structures deemed unsafe. He stated, “So far, we have demolished four buildings, and we plan to bring down about seven more in total. We will not waste time with this matter.”

Furthermore, plans are underway to assist the victims with relief supplies and temporary housing. When the Ghana News Agency visited the bereaved family, the atmosphere was one of deep sorrow, coupled with a plea for support from local authorities.

Justice Nana Kwasi Agyemang, affiliated with the Central Regional NADMO communication team, highlighted the need for regular maintenance of structures. He remarked, “People tend to neglect family houses, assuming they are not worth investing in, but that mindset leads to disasters like this.”

As salvage efforts commenced, residents began retrieving their belongings in preparation for the ongoing demolition. They expressed understanding of the necessitated actions yet sought assistance from both the government and NADMO.

Samuel Essel, Regional NADMO PRO, echoed the call for public support, emphasizing the need for logistics and relief items to bolster their response efforts following the unfortunate collapse.

Additionally, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional area, visited the collapse site to offer condolences and assess the damage, reflecting the community’s commitment to support those affected.

The recent building collapse in Cape Coast not only resulted in a tragic loss of life but also raised critical issues surrounding building safety in the region. The swift response from emergency services highlighted the urgency of the situation. As the local authorities begin a demolition exercise on unsafe structures, community leaders encourage ongoing maintenance and vigilance among residents. The support for affected families is paramount as they cope with this devastating incident while appealing for assistance.

Original Source: mobile.ghanaweb.com