In the wake of the building collapse at the Accra New Town Experimental School, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang led a high-level delegation to the site this morning to oversee rescue operations and offer solace to victims.
The Vice President arrived early Monday to assess the wreckage, where emergency crews have been working tirelessly since the structure gave way.
In a statement, the Vice President noted, “This morning, I visited the Accra New Town Experimental School following the collapse of a multi-storey building on the site and received a detailed briefing on the situation.”
Accompanying the Vice President was a coordinated task force reflecting the gravity of the incident. She was “accompanied by the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, along with officials from the Ghana Armed Forces (48 Engineer Regiment), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Ambulance Service, and NADMO”.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang touched on the bravery of both professional responders and local residents.
While many were pulled from the rubble, the incident has unfortunately turned fatal for some.
“The response efforts have been commendable,” the Vice President stated. “A total of 23 victims were rescued, but sadly, 3 lives were lost. I also acknowledge the local community, which acted as first responders and played a critical role in the early stages of the rescue efforts.”
Heavy machinery remains on-site as the 48 Engineer Regiment works to ensure no one else remains trapped. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang confirmed that “work is ongoing to fully clear the debris, with operations expected to continue over the coming days”.
The Vice President was firm in her stance that such tragedies must lead to systemic change. Relaying a message from the presidency, she emphasised that the government’s role extends beyond immediate crisis management to long-term prevention.
“On behalf of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, I expressed condolences to the affected families and commended all emergency services for their swift and coordinated response,” she said. However, she pointedly added, “We need to go beyond response and address the root causes of such incidents; adherence to building regulations and accountability at all levels are essential to prevent future events.”
Hospital Visits and Government Assurance
Following the site inspection, the delegation moved to various medical facilities where the survivors are being treated. The tour included stops at major centres to ensure that the 20 survivors are receiving top-tier care.
“From the site, we visited victims receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital, where we were received by the inspector-general of police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno,” the Vice President reported. The delegation also stopped at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), where they “were joined by the minister for health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh”.
In a final word of comfort to the families currently waiting at hospital bedsides, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reiterated the state’s commitment to their recovery: “I assure the victims of the government’s support during this very difficult time.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
