Disclose reports on collapsed building to prevent future tragedies – Kosi Dedey

By: Eugene Dogbatse Atsu
Michael Kosi Dedey, an engineer and policy analyst, has called for greater transparency in disaster investigations, arguing that public access to building collapse reports is essential to improving safety and accountability.

Michael Kosi Dedey said authorities must make findings from major disaster investigations available to the public to ensure lessons are learned and future tragedies are prevented.

“We cannot keep hiding reports on building collapses and expect to learn lessons from them. If we truly want to prevent future disasters, those reports must be shared,” he stated.

His remarks came amid continuing concerns over building safety and the need for stricter compliance with construction standards to protect lives and property.

According to him, investigation reports often contain valuable information on the causes of structural failures, regulatory lapses, and safety breaches that can help industry professionals, policymakers, and the public make informed decisions.

He noted that withholding such reports limits opportunities for learning and accountability, increasing the likelihood that similar mistakes will be repeated.

“Every major disaster should provide lessons that strengthen our systems and institutions. When findings are kept from the public, we lose the chance to improve practices and prevent future losses,” he said.

Mr. Dedey stressed that making disaster reports publicly accessible would encourage greater accountability among contractors, engineers, regulators, and other stakeholders within the construction sector.

He further called for the establishment of a clear policy requiring the timely publication of findings from investigations into building collapses and other significant disasters.

The engineer argued that transparency would not only improve public confidence in regulatory institutions but also contribute to safer construction practices and stronger enforcement of building regulations.

He maintained that public access to investigation findings is a necessary step toward building a culture of accountability, learning, and disaster prevention.