Building Collapse: Immigration Officer Speaks After Losing Daughter in Tragic Incident
- The father of a 14-year-old girl who died in the Accra Newtown building collapse has captured hearts online following a heartfelt interview about his loss
- He shared how he learned of the tragedy while driving through Accra Newtown, immediately realising his mother’s church had collapsed, calling families
- The incident claimed three lives, while rescue teams managed to save 20 others, showcasing the tireless efforts of first responders and medical personnel
The father of a 14-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in the recent Accra Newtown building collapse has shared his heartbreak, offering a deeply personal account of the incident that has captured national attention.
Source: UGC
In a X video circulating, the father, a Ghana Immigration Officer, recounted the moment he learned of the disaster and the devastating impact it had on his family.
He explained that he was driving through Accra Newtown when he heard that a church had collapsed. Realising it was his mother’s church, he immediately contacted his younger sister, who confirmed that their mother was among the victims.
Speaking on the ordeal, he said, “I have to commend the 37 Military Hospital; they have done really well. They really cared for the patients.”
He praised the hospital staff for their professionalism in hosting and attending to victims of the collapse.
He described how rescue teams managed to save his mother, second-born child, and other family members, but despite the efforts, his eldest daughter could not be make it.
“I just wanted to make sure my daughter was okay,” he said, describing how one security officer had asked him to get water, a request he realised was meant to distract him from seeing the state of his daughter.
The father explained that he declined the request, determined to locate his daughter first. It was only later that he confirmed the heartbreaking news of her passing.
The emotional video has drawn admiration online, with many praising the father’s courage in sharing his experience and his composure during such a traumatic event.
Watch the X video below.
Abandoned projects pose threats in schools
Touching on the state of the building, Mr Braimah noted that the structure had been under construction for about 14 years as a classroom block, but was abandoned midway.
He further disclosed that the space was occasionally used by students for studies, especially during weekends and examination periods.
According to him, the situation could have been far worse if the collapse had occurred during school hours, as many students often used the area as an extension of their classrooms.
He made a clarion call to state authorities to take necessary steps to bring down weak structures in various school compounds, as they pose a major threat to the safety of students and staff.
Watch the TikTok video here:
GES suspends classes following tragedy
The Ghana Education Service has ordered students to stay away from the Newtown Experimental D/A School following the collapse of a nearby building.
The service is set to hold an emergency meeting on the matter, which was a grave safety concern before the eventual collapse that killed three people.
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The Ghana Education Service Director-General, Prof Ernest Kofi Davis, told Citi News the safety of the other school structures would be checked.
“We are going to work with the regional and national teams, including the estate department, to ensure that the remaining structures are safe for use. If they are not, we will advise students to avoid those areas."
Source: UGC
The incident occurred on March 29, when an uncompleted four-storey building on the school premises, reportedly used as a makeshift church, collapsed during a worship gathering.
A total of 23 people, including three minors, were trapped in the debris, of whom 20 were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment.
The three confirmed deaths were of two females and one male. Some of the victims were referred to the 37 Military Hospital for urgent medical care.
The Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly claimed to Citi News that warnings were issued to residents not to use the building at the Newtown Experimental D/A School before its collapse.
Read the X post here:
Henry Quartey controversy at building collapse scene
YEN.com.gh reported that the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, expressed disappointment over how some national security operatives treated him at the scene of the school building collapse in Accra Newtown.
Speaking to the media, Quartey said he had only visited the accident scene as a former MP for Ayawaso Central to assist in the rescue of the victims.
He accused security personnel of politicising the rescue efforts at the disaster site.
Source: YEN.com.gh
