By:tntnewspaprgh.com

The national first vice chairman for the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG),
Mr Patrick Kwame Frimpong has made a plea to the government through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs to urgently retool or recruit civil engineers, planners, and structural engineers for the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country.

“As we talk now, most of the MMDAs are in dire need of civil engineers, planners, and structural engineers who are supposed to ensure proper processes are followed for any infrastructure projects or development. But for many years now, the government has not employed such professionals for the assemblies. ”

Mr Frimpong, who doubles as the Presiding Member for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Dean of the Association of Ashanti Presiding Members (PMs), appealed following the recent building collapse in Accra, which has so far claimed innocent lives, and flooding incidents in many parts of the country.

Mr.Patrick Kwame Frimpong

According to him, within this month alone, two buildings have collapsed in Accra and claimed precious lives.

Besides, the recent rains have led to flooding in many parts of the country, and it comes at a time when most of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the country are in dire need of planners and civil and structural engineers to help prevent flooding and the collapse of buildings.

“I am therefore appealing to the government to urgently equip the MMDAs with the needed planners, civil engineers and structural engineers, among other professionals, to help prevent the reported cases of flooding and the recent building collapse in Accra.

“This call has been necessitated because many assemblies lack planners, civil engineers, and structural engineers. After all, each assembly needs an engineer.Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong noted that mostly, the government has been recruiting administrative staff, budget, accountants, and others.

Stressing that MMDAs are the highest political and administrative authorities at the local level with a mandate primarily by the Local Governance Act (Act 936 of 2016), their core functions centre on local economic development, planning, infrastructure provision, and maintaining public safety.Unfortunately, according to reports by MyJoyOnline.

One person has been confirmed dead following the collapse of a building at the North Industrial Area in Accra.According to reports, three persons were rescued from the rubble of the collapsed structure, while two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.Eyewitnesses at the scene identified the deceased as a male worker known in the area.Emergency responders say rescue efforts are still ongoing as teams continue to comb through the debris in search of any additional survivors who may be trapped beneath the rubble.

The collapse occurred at about 4:25 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.Firefighters from the Circle Fire Station and the GNFS Headquarters have been leading the search-and-rescue operation using specialised equipment, while heavy machinery is being deployed to remove concrete slabs and twisted metal obstructing access to those still trapped.Heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, has been deployed to assist in clearing debris and speeding up rescue operations.

Authorities are yet to officially confirm the cause of the collapse, as investigations are expected to follow after rescue efforts are concluded.Rescue teams remain on site as efforts continue to ensure that no one is left under the rubble.