The Shama District Office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in collaboration with the Assembly’s Works Department, has demolished an illegally extended structure at Inchaban after it was declared a serious public safety hazard capable of endangering lives and adjoining properties.
The demolition forms part of an ongoing structural integrity and disaster risk assessment exercise being undertaken by the Shama District Assembly to identify buildings that pose imminent threats to public safety.
So far, 66 structures have been earmarked for either demolition, rehabilitation or other remedial interventions based on the outcome of the technical assessments.
Speaking to ConnectNews on July 6, the Shama District Director of NADMO, Isaac Paa Kofi Adams, said the structure was demolished after officials discovered that the property owner had carried out an unauthorised extension on a steep hillside by backfilling portions of the land without the necessary approvals or engineering safeguards.
“The area is hilly, and during our routine monitoring we observed that the owner had backfilled the rear portion of the property and constructed an extension. The structure was visibly unstable and suspended over the slope, creating a significant risk of collapse.
We immediately issued notices directing the owner to halt the development and remove the extension, but he failed to comply, leaving us with no option but to undertake the demolition,” he explained.
Mr. Adams disclosed that the enforcement exercise was met with resistance from the property owner, compelling the Assembly to seek security support from the Ghana Police Service to ensure public order and the safety of officers carrying out the operation.
“It was not an easy exercise. There was strong resistance, including threats, insults and attempts to obstruct the demolition. However, we remained resolute because our primary responsibility is to prevent disasters before they occur. With support from the Ghana Police Service, we successfully carried out the demolition.”
He said the property owner will be surcharged with the cost of the demolition in accordance with the Assembly’s enforcement procedures.
“The owner has already been formally notified, and the police have also been informed of the Assembly’s decision to recover the cost of the exercise from him.”
Mr. Adams stressed that the Assembly’s technical assessment team would continue to enforce recommendations arising from the ongoing structural audit without fear or favour, irrespective of the ownership of affected properties.
“So far, we have identified 66 structures, and the number continues to increase as inspections progress. Our concern is not limited to buildings located on waterways. Any structure that poses a threat to human life, neighbouring properties or public infrastructure will be assessed and the appropriate action taken.”
He noted that the exercise forms part of a broader disaster risk reduction strategy aimed at preventing avoidable disasters rather than responding after lives and property have been lost.
“Disasters rarely occur without warning signs. Our responsibility is to recognise those warning indicators early, undertake preventive interventions, and reduce the exposure of communities to avoidable risks. That is exactly what this exercise seeks to achieve.”
The Shama District Assembly has in recent months intensified inspections of vulnerable communities as part of proactive measures to reduce disaster risk, improve structural safety and strengthen community resilience, particularly during the rainy season when the likelihood of structural failures and flood-related incidents increases.
By Eric Yaw Adjei
