The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has officially launched a 13-member Committee of Inquiry tasked with investigating the recent incidents of building collapses throughout Ghana and recommending measures to avert future occurrences.
This committee, formed under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior, is anticipated to examine the factors contributing to building failures and suggest reforms aimed at enhancing public safety, regulatory frameworks, oversight, and accountability within the construction industry.
During the inauguration, Mr. Mubarak emphasized that building collapses should not be regarded as mere isolated structural failures but rather as manifestations of deeper issues, including inadequate planning, insufficient enforcement, violations of professional standards, and institutional shortcomings.
He underscored the importance of a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of these incidents to ensure that necessary reforms are enacted to safeguard lives and property.
He indicated that the committee’s mandate encompasses a wide array of issues, such as structural and design flaws, the utilization of substandard construction materials, construction malpractice, environmental influences, climate-related effects, human negligence, and institutional deficiencies.
He urged the committee members to carry out their duties with independence, professionalism, integrity, and objectivity, and to deliver practical, evidence-based recommendations that would enhance regulatory oversight, improve enforcement, promote safer construction practices, and foster community resilience.
Additionally, he called upon relevant state institutions, professional organizations, developers, property owners, and the general public to collaborate with the committee to facilitate the successful completion of its mandate.
“Ensuring the safety of our built environment is a collective responsibility, and there must be no tolerance for impunity when it comes to public safety,” he asserted.
The Chairman of the committee, Brigadier General B. F. Kusi, conveyed his gratitude for the trust bestowed upon the members and guaranteed that the committee would produce a thorough report.
He stated that the report would act as a framework for enhancing building safety standards and averting comparable incidents in the future.
