Owner Of Melcom Building & AMA Official Still In BNI Custody.

Source: Peace FM  / 10.11.2012

Peacefmonline.com can confirm that the owner of the collapsed Melcom Shopping complex, Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo, together with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Ga West Director of Works, Mr. Carl Henry Clerk, are still in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

The two are currently being questioned by the BNI for roles they may have played in triggering the disaster.

They are believed to have acted negligently resulting in the collapse of the Achimota branch of the Melcom shop which has claimed the lives of more than 10 people so far.

Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that as of 6pm Friday, the two were still in BNI custody.

Mr Henry Clerk was invited for questioning together with two others, Ramesh Sadhwani, Co-Managing Director of Melcom and one Victor Mensah, also from Melcom on Thursday. But after some hours of grilling, the two Melcom staff were allowed to go, whiles the AMA Works Director was detained overnight.

Early on Friday, the owner of the collapsed building turned himself in after he was declared wanted by the BNI.

Meanwhile, rescue operation is said to be hampered by the strong stench emanating from the underneath of the rubble.

Hope fades

As of Friday evening, rescuers could not also communicate with four other people trapped in a mangled elevator, with whom they could communicate earlier in the day as they were no longer responding to their calls.

Over 80 people have so far been rescued from the disaster scene.

In a related development, fifty-two people who were rescued from the building, reunited with their families for the first time since the building collapsed on Wednesday morning, after they were treated and discharged.

Of the number, 21 people were discharged from the 37 Military hospital, 26 from the Achimota hospital, two from the Police hospital while the remaining three were discharged from the Korle Bu Teaching hospital.

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Melcom sacks grieving workers

Source: TodayGh / 10.11.2012

Today can report that there is simmering tension between workers and managers of Melcom Group Limited.

This, the paper has learnt, follows the decision by Melcom branches supervisors and managers to send home workers of the company who wore red and black apparel in grief of their colleague-workers who died and others who suffered varied degrees of injuries during the collapse of the Achimota Melcom Shopping Complex which tragedy occurred last Wednesday.

In a follow-up to a story by Okay FM, an Accra-based radio station, on the issue last Thursday, November 8, 2012, Today can confirm that this current development is not limited to workers of the company in the capital city, but all Melcom branches across the country.

The branches include, North Industrial Area, Accra Central, Tema, Ashaiman, Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale, Hohoe, Ho and Koforidua.

Some of the workers at the Circle North Industrial Area and Accra Central Business District branches of Melcom who spoke to Today on condition of anonymity complained bitterly that they find it difficult to understand why their supervisors and managers will ask them to go home and change their dress, since according to them, they were mourning the death of their colleagues which is customary for every Ghana who loses a relative or a friend to do.

Today gathered that the managers and supervisors, according to the lamenting workers, even went as far as threatening to write in their appointment letters that their services would not be needed if they fail to rescind their decision to go home and change their mourning dresses.

According to the workers, when they inquired from their superiors why they were not allowed to wear the red and black dress to mourn the death of their colleagues, they were told in plain language that that was a “decision coming from above.”

The workers also elicited complaints about the activities of the supervisors siding with the owners of the company for what they describe as “continuous intimidation and harassment” meted out to them at the workplace on a daily basis.

According to them, the kinds of treatment meted out to them by managers are so severe to the extent that they live in fear.

“Our monthly salary is also nothing better to write home about, and this is because they always say that they are helping us because there no jobs in the country,” the workers complained.

To this end, they called on the government and other state agencies to intervene in the matter to avoid what they describe as “chaotic scenes.”

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Melcom Landlord In Hot Water

Source: Daily Guide / 10.11.2012

The man at the centre of the raging controversy over the collapsed six-storey Melcom Mall at Achimota in Accra, Nana Nkansah Ayeboafo Boadu, yesterday turned himself in to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) after speculations became rife that he was wanted by the security agencies.

The owner had been missing for the past three days.

Nana Boadu is said to be the chief of Ashanti Nzema in the Ashanti Region

A number of bodies were retrieved from the debris of the building, with the latest being the General Manager of the branch, Gerald Berhene.

Accra Mayor Alfred Vanderpuije moved to court early yesterday morning to secure an order of interlocutory injunction to be placed on four other properties owned by Nana Boadu, in the Achimota area suspected to be in a similar condition as the collapsed building.

That, he said, was to enable the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to assess the ability of the buildings to withstand the test of time.

The court has issued a three-day ultimatum for occupants of the said properties, which are in the same enclave with the collapsed building including one occupied by Fidelity and Standard Chartered Banks, to vacate.

Mr Vanderpuije told journalists that the collapsed six-storey building was put up “without any approval and without any permit”.

Contrary to claims by government that Nana Nkansah did not have a building permit covering the collapsed building, he insists he has one and other relevant documents relating to the other properties in question.

Rising Death Toll

On the third day of the disaster, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, there were conflicting reports about the death toll, with official figures being pegged at 12 persons, with four others either gone missing or dead, whilst 78 others were said to have been rescued so far.

The management of the Melcom chain of stores yesterday put out the names of Lucy Ampofo, Neils Lutterodt, Eric Bio, Samuel Gyaman, Ruth Atingah, Sandra Ofosu, Judith Asantewaa, Victoria Amposah and Jacob Mensah, as workers who had gone missing.

But it later emerged that the General Manager and Neils Lutterodt were indeed dead whilst Sandra Owusu was alive but Eric Bio, Samuel Gyaman and Ruth Atinga were still missing.

It emerged that five other persons who were thought to have gone missing were off duty on that fateful day.

Rescue workers claimed yesterday they heard the voices of some persons believed to be still alive but trapped in a mangled elevator in the collapsed building, with pungent smell beginning to emit from the debris.

Four people were identified as still being alive under the wreckage. The rescue mission denied that 18 people had died, even though initial reports suggested that nine more bodies were discovered on Thursday evening. Four of the victims, including a pregnant woman, were buried under slabs of stones.

The Israeli rescue team has been using a sniffer dog to help locate those buried under the rubble.

Nana Boadu’s Rebuttal

Nana Boadu, who spoke on various radio networks yesterday, accepted responsibility but expressed utter dismay at the claims that he did not have a building permit covering the building.

He has since indicated his preparedness to tender the needed documents as evidence.

“I have a file full of documents and receipts showing the building permit fees. And so anyone who will say that we don’t have a permit is just trying to play mischief,” he said, insisting, “It is not my wish for the building to collapse. There is no way I will put up a building and do a shoddy work.”

He said, “I will plead that the right thing will be said and also allow for investigations. I am so sad but I accept every blame… I have tried to get in touch with the contractor but to no avail but we have not given up; I am sure we will get in touch with him soon. Every document needed to help in the investigations, I will provide.”

Nana Boadu, a contractor, disclosed that he visited the shop on Monday and noticed that heavy appliances and drinks were being carried to the top floor which he spoke against but no one heeded his word. He declared his willingness to bear the cost of investigations into the cause of the collapse of the building in order to establish the facts. Nana Addo’s Support

Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo visited the scene yesterday and donated GH¢10, 000 to support victims of the disaster.

He was at the 37 Military Hospital as well where some of the victims are receiving treatment.

Nana Addo made this known when he visited some of the victims on admission at the 37 Military Hospital.

He assured the victims that investigation would be carried out to ensure that persons responsible for the disaster were brought to book.

The NPP candidate expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

Addressing the joint taskforce responsible for the evacuation of trapped persons, the NPP flagbearer commended the security agencies and Ghanaians in general for the show of love and patriotism exhibited so far.

He called for more resources for security agencies to enable them to fully undertake rescue missions in the country.

He was grateful to the government and people of Israel for their support to Ghana in such trying times.

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Melcom disaster: 52 survivors discharged

Source: Radio XYZ Online

Fifty-two people who were rescued from the collapsed Melcom building have been treated and discharged.

They were reunited with their families for the first time since the building collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Radio XYZ reporter, Charity Bartels, who is at the site confirmed that 21 people were discharged from the 37 Military hospital, 26 from the Achimota hospital, two from the Police hospital while the remaining three were discharged from the Korle Bu Teaching hospital.

According to her, three out of the six people who were declared missing on Friday morning are among those who have been discharged.

So far, three people are still missing and are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

According to members of the rescue team, voices can still be heard in the rubble 48 hours after the shopping centre collapsed.

Rescue is still ongoing with the help of an eight-man team from Israel who have helped in locating where others have been trapped.

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Melcom Disaster: Death toll rises to 18

Source: Kelvin Dartey

The death toll of the Melcom disaster has now risen to 18 following the discovery of nine more bodies on Thursday evening. One of the victims is a pregnant woman.

The discovery follows the intensification of rescue efforts at the Melcom disaster site at Achimota-Neoplan in Accra, with the arrival of an eight-man rescue team from Israel.

The arrival of the team is in fulfillment of an earlier promise made by the Israeli government after the news of the disaster broke on Wednesday.

According to a Citi Fm reporter Betty Kankam Boadi, the rescue team struggled to retrieve the bodies beneath the rubble.

She noted that four of the victims are buried under slabs of stones.

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Four people have been identified as still alive!

Source: AdomFm

Four people have been identified as still alive under the rubble in the collapsed Melcom building, days after the disaster. The four are said to be trapped in a mangled elevator.

Families are batting their breath as prospects of discovering more people alive are dimmed by each passing hour.

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Sue melcom managers for employee negligence - Insurance Expert

Source: Joy Online

An Insurance Consultant is advocating that the affected workers of the Melcom mall disaster sue management of the company for negligence.

Edgar Wiredu maintained that the company owes it a duty to ensure the safety of its workers and thus is liable for the unfortunate incident.

A four storey building housing the Achimota branch of Melcom shopping mall collapsed Wednesday morning, trapping and killing some workers and shoppers.

About 70 people and nine lifeless bodies have been pulled out of the rubble and a combined rescue team made up of Ghanaians and Israelis are working assiduously in search for possible survivors.

Even though the products in the shopping mall are said to be insured, according to Vanguard Insurance, it is still not clear whether the workers are covered.

President John Dramani Mahama after inspecting the scene pledged to punish the person whose negligence caused the collapse of the multi-storey shopping mall.

But Edgar Wiredu on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, said the disaster should not be blamed on the contractor of the building alone but also on the management of Melcom.

According to him, if management of the company had acted upon the reported cracks in the building; the unfortunate incident could have been avoided.

The social commentator blamed the management of Melcom for flouting the Labour Law to ensure employee and customer safety.

Mr. Wiredu said the company must pay compensation to all the workers affected.

Meanwhile, officials of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) questioned three people in connection with the disaster which has claimed nine lives so far.

Ramesh Sadhwani, Co-Managing Director of Melcom, Victor Mensah, also from Melcom and the Works Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly have been grilled by BNI.

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AMA to demolish 4 buildings belonging to Melcom shop owner if..

Source: Radio XYZ Online

The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, says the owner of the six-storey Melcom Shopping Complex building, which caved in on Wednesday morning, has been given a grace period to regularize four other buildings within the catchment area or risk demolition.

The Melcom Shopping mall collapsed and trapped over a hundred people on Wednesday.

As at Friday morning, at least eighty people had been rescued from the debris while nine have been confirmed dead.

It is feared nine more people who were rescued may survive after being trapped for more than 30 hours in the rubble.

Addressing a press conference at the site on Friday, Dr. Vanderpuije said the collapsed building was commenced in 1997 and completed in 2008, insisting that the owner, Nana Boadu Ayeboafo, was not given the requisite permit to put up the building.

The Accra Mayor says apart from that building, there are four others within the same Achimota area owned by Nana Boadu which do not have the needed permits.

XYZ News’ Charity Bartels who was at the press conference reports that the Mayor has ordered occupants of one of the buildings nearby to vacate the premises within three days.

117,175 unauthorized buildings in Accra

The Mayor made a shocking revelation that there are 117,175 unauthorized buildings in the capital which the Assembly is currently grappling with.

He said in 2010, 81 buildings were regularized out of a total of 374 applications received. In 2011, 757 applications were received of which 106 were regularized.

255 applications were received in 2012 but only 18 buildings have been regularized.

The BNI on Thursday interrogated two individuals - AMA official in charge of Works and Buildings as well as the Deputy CEO of Melcom - suspected to have been negligent in the case. President Mahama has tasked the investigative bodies to ensure that those found culpable are dealt with.

Meanwhile, Nana Boadu Ayeboafo says he has genuine documents on his buildings and put the blame squarely on the doorsteps of the Melcom owners. He said he warned them against placing heavy duty gadgets on the top floors but his advice was not heeded.

Nana Boadu is expected to make himself available to the BNI later today (Friday).

The Minsiter of Local Government and Rural Development, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has presented an amount of GHS20,000 and cartons of mineral water to the rescue team to facilitate their operations.

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Blame Melcom management for building collapse - Building Owner

Source: Peace FM Online

Owner of the building housing the Achimota branch of Melcom,Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo has denied claims that the building had no permit.

The Achimota branch of Melcom shopping centre caved-in on Wednesday morning killing and trapping many in the process.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Thursday stated that the building had no permit adding that the owner will face the full rigors of the law.

Speaking in an interview on Peace FM Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo, chief of Kumasi Nzema and owner of the building said he has every evidence to support his claim that the building had permit.

“It is not my wish for the building to collapse. There is no way I will put up a building and do a shoddy work. I will plead that the right thing will be said and also allow for investigations. I am so sad but I accept every blame.

“I have tried to get in touch with the contractor but to no avail but we have not given up; I am sure we will get in touch with him soon. Every document needed to help in the investigations I will provide. I have a file full of documents and receipts showing the building permit fees. And so anyone who will say that we don’t have a permit is just trying to play mischief.”

Nana Buadu is also alleged to have erected a similar building in Kumasi which the authorities have placed an injunction on.

However, Nana denied claims that an injunction has been placed on it. He entreated those who doubt to go to Kumasi and verify for themselves if the building had cracks on it.

He also disclosed that upon a visit to Melcom, he realized that they were packing heavy equipment to the top floors and complained bitterly of it.

“I told the Manager that I didn't want the heavy building upstairs because it can lead to the collapse of the building but they didn't listen".

Asked if he had been invited by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), he said: “I have not been called by the BNI or any security agency; I only heard it on air. I will personally go to the police headquarters and anywhere I am wanted to assist in investigations…” he added.

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Owner of collapsed Melcom building to turn himself in to police

Source: Joy Online

Owner of collapsed Achimota Melcom buiding in Accra, Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo is to turn himself in to the police on Friday, 48 hours after the disaster occurred.

Dozens are feared dead when the multi-storey shopping centre caved in Wednesday morning trapping over 70 persons, mostly staff, who were getting ready to open the shopping centre for business.

At least 69 survivors have been rescued as at Friday morning by a combined team of security personnel and a team of Israeli volunteers. About 10 dead bodies have been pulled out of the debris while there are ongoing efforts to reach the rest of the people trapped in the rubble.

Experts have blamed the collapse of the structure on shoddy works and failure to comply with the building regulations by the owner, Nana Boadu. Officials of Accra Metropolitan Assembly also claim the owner did not obtain permit before embarking on the construction works.

But speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” programme on Friday, Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo, who is also chief of Kumasi Nsima in the Ashanti region, denied claims that he had no permit before putting up the building.

He said he had documentation to back his claim, including fees paid for the processing of the document which he is prepared to produce to the police.

Nana Boadu who is a contractor, disclosed that he once visited the shop and noticed heavy appliances were being carried to the top floor which he cautioned them against but no one listened to him.

He declared his willingness to bear the cost of investigations into the cause of the collapse of the building, in order to establish the facts.

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Melcom Building Owner’s Dirty Record Out

Source: The Herald

…builds at night with no permit

It has emerged that the owner of the Melcom Achimota building, which collapsed last Wednesday, has a – record of putting up buildings at night to avoid attention. He bears the name Nana Kwesi Buadu, who is said to be highly-connected in political cycles.

Indeed, there are claims that he was behind the renovation works at the ex-President Kufuor’s Airport West residence in Accra, using a ghost name, Marfo, claiming to be a farmer.

Nana Kwesi Buadu, has a penchant for building both in the day and the night against the advice of his architects. He owns several building in Accra and Kumasi which are rented out to banks. The buildings have several defects. One of his defective buildings, it is reported was seized during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era, The Herald learnt.

The site for the collapsed building, is said to be a public toilet which was snatched by Buadu from its owner, a lady, using his connections within political circles, the military and the judiciary.

Meanwhile, some residents close to the multi-storey department store told Myjoyonline that the Achimota edifice, for instance, “sprung up all of a sudden”.

They claimed that during the construction, the site was fenced so residents could not tell exactly what was going on. “We only saw lights in there and sounds of machines and people working,” one of them recollected.

Nana Buadu, the owner of the Melcom building, has a similar building in Kumasi which city engineers in city have cautioned against as not good for housing people.

Luv News Erastus Donkor reports that he had confrontation with city authorities for building at night and also having no permit for the building.

Our correspondent was told that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has had problems with Nana Buadu’s five-storey building, which is close to the Asokwa Interchange in Kumasi, because it had some structural defects.

“It is a huge edifice sitting on small pillars, that is my layman view of it,” he said.

Erastus said the KMA confirmed to him that its engineers did not give the owner permit to put up the building.

Even though, he observed, that the structure looks like it has been abandoned for several years, about four persons are currently occupying the building which is fitted with a lift.

Mr. Clement K. Kegeri, Special Assistance to the Kumasi Mayor remarked: “Our records indicate that our Assembly has not granted him any permit. The information we also gathered from our engineering department indicates that our engineers didn’t supervise the building.

“I can tell you on authority that our engineers are not satisfied with the structural nature of the building, they are of technical view that the building has some structural defects. For that matter they have not approved the building to be used to house people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the immediate past President of the Ghana Institution of Architects, Osei Agyemang, is demanding immediate pragmatic steps to prevent another disaster.

He also called for “a certain rigid of professional procedure” in putting up buildings in the country, regretting “unfortunately” that most contractors do not submit themselves to due process.

“We are not respecting the regulatory framework, we are not abiding by the regulations and procedures that we need to go by,” said he.

Mahama Promotes Brave policeman President John Mahama has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to promote to the next rank a police officer who got injured while helping to rescue people trapped in Wednesday’s Melcom shop disaster.

The policeman, whose name is not readily known, has reportedly rescued about 14 victims, according to Joy News’ Derick W. Johnson, who was at the scene.

He reported that both of the policeman’s limbs have been bandaged and he is taking a rest.

Derrick quoted the security officer as saying: “I have sacrificed myself to rescue people”.

So far, about 75 people have been rescued and nine confirmed dead.

The President visited the scene again on Thursday afternoon after Isreali rescuers arrived in Ghana to support local efforts.

He vowed to ensure that city authorities were held responsible for the disaster.

Meanwhile, officials of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) have questioned three people in connection with Wednesday’s Melcom shop disaster.

The suspects are believed to have acted negligently, resulting in the collapse of the Achimota branch of the Melcom shop.

Ramesh Sadhwani, 50 years of age and a Co-Managing Director of Melcom, Victor Mensah , also from Melcom and the Works Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly have been grilled by the BNI.

Richmond Oduro Kwarteng, the Public Relations Officer of Melcom confirmed this to Joy News.

He said the Co-MD and the other official had been discharged.

Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the questioning followed a directive from President John Mahama.

He said it was the view of the President that “too many things have been taken for granted.”

The security agencies are still hunting for the owner of the building, one Nana Kwesi Boadu, who is currently at large.

The nation woke up Wednesday to a rare disaster in which a 6-storey building housing a Melcom Shop collapsed on workers who were having a morning devotion pending the opening of the shop to shoppers.

Rescue teams were rallied and campaign activities of the various political parties were cancelled.

So far, over 70 people have been pulled out of the rubble but so too are the bodies of nine victims.

Israelis Eight members of the 18-man team from Israel to help rescue any remaining survivors in the collapsed Melcom shopping mall disaster have arrived.

Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey, who is at the scene, reported that the foreign rescuers arrived with sniffer dogs.

President John Mahama announced upon his visit to the scene Wednesday that external help had been sought to boost rescue efforts.

A statement signed by the President’s Spokesperson, John Abdulai Jinapor, said an 18-man Israeli team would come and work in close collaboration with the detachment from the Field Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Army currently at the site.

Mr. Jinapor said the team would make an initial assessment of the site using special equipment and sniffer dogs that would help identify the locations of possible survivors or corpses.

He indicated that an additional team of about one hundred and fifty (150) with additional equipment including field hospitals, concrete cutters among others would move to Ghana should the initial assessment deem it necessary.

Joy News Adelaide Arthur, who was at the scene when the foreign rescuers arrived, said a woman who’s daughter had not been found by Thursday afternoon collapsed at the scene.

President Mahama went to the scene again on Thursday shortly after the arrival of the Israelis and addressed the media.

He commended the local rescuers for a good job done so far and vowed that city authorities were going “to be held accountable” for the disaster.

National Coordinator of NADMO, Kofi Kportophy said government would provide assistance in the burial of departed victims.

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Hotlines established for Melcom building disaster

Source: GNA

The Government announced on Friday that hotlines have been established as part of the ongoing rescue effort aimed at ensuring that nobody is left behind in the rubbles of the Melcom building whether alive or dead.

The government, in a statement issued by the Deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, appealed especially to those who live within the Achimota community and its immediate environs and who have relations or loved ones who have gone missing over the last 48 hours to call the provided numbers in order to assist the rescue mission.

The numbers to call are 023 4725999 and 026 4918886

Meanwhile, it said, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) late on Thursday detained and continued to hold Mr. Carl Henry Clerk, the Ga West Municipal Works Director.

The statement said investigations had so far pointed to the fact that Mr. Clerk was the Works Director at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly at the time the building in question was constructed without permit but failed to take action though his attention was drawn to it.

The BNI upon the directive of President John Dramani Mahama commenced formal investigations on Thursday into the circumstances leading to the fatal collapse of the Achimota Melcom building.

Earlier on, Mr. Ramesh Sadhwani, a co-MD of Melcom and Mr. Victor Mensah, AMA Works Director, were questioned and granted bail.

The statement said the owner of the building, the engineer and the architect were being pursued by the BNI.

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Melcom Disaster: Building Owner Bares It All...I Had Permit

Source: Peace FM Online

Owner of the building housing the Achimota branch of Melcom,Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo has denied claims that the building had no permit.

The Achimota branch of Melcom shopping centre caved-in on Wednesday morning killing and trapping many in the process.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) said the building had no permit as such the owner will face the full rigor of the law.

Speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s morning show programme "kokrokoo" with host Kwami Sefa-Kayi, Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo,chief of Kumasi Nsima, owner of the building said he has every evidence to support his claim that the building had permit.

“It is not my wish for the building to collapse. There is no way I will put up a building and do a shoddy work. I will plead that the right thing will be said and also allow for investigations. I am so sad but I accept every blame... I have tried to get in touch with the contractor but to no avail but we have not given up; I am sure we will get in touch with him soon. Every document needed to help in the investigations I will provide. I have a file full of documents and receipts showing the building permit fees. And so anyone who will say that we don’t have a permit is just trying to play mischief…”

Nana Buadu is also alleged to have erected a similar building at Kumasi which the authorities have placed an injunction on it. However, Nana claims the building has not been halted. He entreated the ‘doubting Thomases’ to go to Kumasi and verify if the building had cracks on it.

He also disclosed that on a visit to Melcom, he realized that they were packing heavy equipment to the top floors and complained bitterly of it.

“I told the Manager that I didn't want the heavy building upstairs because it can lead to the collapse of the building but they didn't listen… No one should say what he is not sure of; we just thank God for everything that has happened…”

Asked if he had been invited by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), he said: “I have not been called by the BNI or any security agency; I only heard it on air. I will personally go to the police headquarters and anywhere I am wanted to assist in investigations…”

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Melcom disaster: Ga West official still in BNI grips

Source: Joy Online

The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is detaining the Ga West Municipal Director of Works for his complicity in the collapse of the multi storey Melcom shopping center.

A deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told Joy News Friday that the BNI’s investigations are pointing to the fact that Mr. Victor Mensah's attention was drawn to illegal construction of the multi-storey when he was the Municipal Director of Works at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, but he did little to arrest the situation.

Mr Ablakwa told Joynews that the Israeli rescue team as at Thursday night has been able to reach three people beneath the rubble but it is unclear whether they are alive or otherwise.

The Deputy Information Minister announced that a hotline had been established for persons whose relations have gone missing in the aftermath of the disaster.

The numbers to call are 023 4725999 and 026 4918886.

Meanwhile the owner of the collapsed building Nana Akwasi Boadu remains at large amidst appeals that he should turn himself in to assist in investigations.

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Melcom disaster shocking- Nduom

Source: Joy Online

The flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has described as shocking the collapse of the Melcom shopping mall in Accra which has claimed nine lives with several others injured.

Embarking on his campaign tour of the Upper West Region, the PPP flagbearer expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

Asked if he was going to break his campaign, as the other flag bearers have done Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom told Joy News his presence at the accident will mean very little.

‘‘It his [president] job to ensure that we enforce our standards and our roles and our regulations in this country; that is his job, that is how it should be and he is doing his job,’’ he insisted.

He stated he was shocked to hear the news of the disaster during his whistle stop campaign in some communities in the Wa East constituency.

‘‘It is shocking to hear something like this happening. A commercial building like this collapsing? It makes us worry about safety standards; about inspection and about what is it that we do to make commercial buildings at least are safe and sound’’.

“But our thoughts and minds and everything goes out to the innocent people who have been victimized this way and their families,” he added.

He said the disaster should be used as a correcting experience which will ensure the laws of the country are enforced and the environment is safe for habitation.

Wading in to IEA vice presidential debate, Dr. Nduom said listening to the debate on radio he wasn’t impressed about the performance of the candidates.

‘‘I was so disappointed yesterday that they were allowed to take notes and reading from notes. They were reading statement; my goodness. As a president or a vice president; you deal in the moment, things happen, you have to react to them. You have to make decisions and so preparing to get a job like that you go there with notes and they allow them to read statements,” he fumed.

Dr. Nduom said he was happy he was not part of the IEA debate because it is not the kind of platform he will want to be a part of.

‘‘Even in 2008 we didn’t have notes, we just sat there and based on experience; based on qualifications we answered the question…that is how is should be. Look at what happens in the UK, in France and in the US; they don’t take notes. Why should we sink so low that our leaders need notes,’’ the PPP Presidential candidate asked.

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Melcom Disaster: Brave Police Constable promoted

Source: Joy Online

The police administration has promoted General Constable Nester Aneateba to the rank of a full Corporal.

This is in compliance with a directive by President John Mahama.

The president issued the directive following what was described as the “display of exemplary bravado” by Nester Aneateba “in rescuing 14 victims trapped after the collapse of the Achimota Melcom Building in Accra.”

The 27 year old who was part of the police personnel deployed for the rescue mission entered the wreckage of the collapsed building several times to rescue 14 survivors at the peril of his life.

He sustained various degrees of injuries in his effort.

A statement signed by the Director-General Administration, Rose Bio Atinga said “In compliance with the directives of the president, the police administration has with effect from today 8th November, 2012 promoted No. 44831 General Constable Nester Aneateba from the rank of a Constable to the rank of a full Corporal."

The statement called on other officers to emulate the courage shown by the constable “and live up to their calling of protecting life and properties.

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Melcom Disaster: BNI hunts for owner of collapsed building

Source: Bernard Bamah

The Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) has mounted a search for the owner of the collapsed Melcom building at Achimota and the contractors who constructed the building.

The Co-Managing Director of Melcom, Ramesh Sadhwani and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly's (AMA) Director of Works, Victor Mensah were earlier arrested by the BNI to assist in investigations following a directive by President John Mahama.

In an interview with Citi Fm in Accra, Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that the arrest of the owner is critical to the ongoing investigations.

He said: “It is important to note that Melcom were tenants in the building and the main owner who constructed the building and indeed the contractors he used are still being sought after by the BNI.”

According to him, the BNI is expected to present a report on the investigations to President Mahama for further action to be carried out.

“The BNI is confident they will get the owner of the building and they are still pursuing him and as and when the BNI lay hands on him, we will let the good people of Ghana know,” he added.

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Ghanaian Celebs Mourn Melcom Disaster Victims

Source: News One

A number of popular Ghanaian stars have commiserated with families of victims of the ‘Melcom building disaster’ that killed an unconfirmed number of people and injured over 70 others.

The Achimota branch of the Melcom Shopping Centre in Accra collapsed and trapped over 70 people on Wednesday. The five-storey building collapsed at about 9:45 pm, according to eye-witnesses.

The incident has since thrown the country into shock. A number of government officials including President John Mahama and other opposition leaders visited the scene of the disaster.

Some Ghana celebrities also took to different social networks to express their shock.

Among them were Yvonne Okoro, Deborah Vanessa, Ama K. Abebrese, Eazzy, EL and Mimi.

News-One monitored what they tweeted on social network twitter.

Below are their tweets;

Yvonne Okoro: “Omg is the Melcom Incident true if it’s true, wats (what’s) being done abt (about)…tragic, so sorry for the victims, God be with the families.”

Deborah Vanessa: “As for the Melcom disaster, till you are in the victim’s or their family’s shoes, you will not comprehend. I cannot say I can imagine how it will feel, I would be lying. So sad… innocent people have died because of a cheap job done probably through greed.”

Eazzy: “Omg fuck hell…melcom collapsed? Jesoz (Jesus)! Lord pls save souls.”

EL: “Our hearts go out to the victims of the Melcom tragedy.”

Ama K. Abebrese: “My prayers goes out to those trapped in the collapsed Melcom Achimota building. How could this happen? Wow.”

Mimi: “Oooh God! God help us, imagine if you were just in the building shopping! Oh Lord help these people survive.”

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Nana Addo to support Melcom disaster victims with GH¢10,000

Source: Radio XYZ Online

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to support victims of the Melcom disaster with an amount of ten thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢10,000).

Nana Addo made the pledge when he paid a visit to the site of the collapsed building on Friday afternoon with other big wigs of the NPP.

Nana Addo has received some flak from a section of the public for prioritizing his campaign ahead of the disaster that has claimed ten lives.

The six-storey Achimota branch of Melcom collapsed on Wednesday morning shortly after it was opened.

Over 70 people have so far been pulled out of the rubble with 10 people also confirmed dead.

The death toll is however likely to rise after five more people were discovered buried under slabs of stones Friday morning with the help of the eight-man rescue team from Israel.

Nana Addo speaking to Journalists, consoled families who have lost relatives and encouraged the rescue team to do everything possible to ensure that those trapped are pulled out alive.

He added that aside from the GH¢10,000 pledge, he would continue to assist the victims in any way possible.

Flagbearers of the NDC, PNC and CPP have already paid a visit to the site of the collapsed building.