The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ayawaso Central, Rudolph Collingwood Williams, has revealed that the church operating in a classroom at Accra New Town, where a building collapsed on, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, was doing so without authorisation.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the MCE stated that the assembly does not permit the use of classrooms for religious activities, describing the situation as a clear violation of local regulations.

Williams explained that he only became aware of the church’s presence about two weeks prior to the incident.

In response, he said he dispatched his security team and an aide to instruct the group to vacate the premises, but they were met with resistance.

See the state of the Accra New Town building before the collapse

“When I was given the notice about two weeks ago, I had to let my security and my aide come and talk to them to vacate the place. They rained insults and curses on them, but that’s human nature,” he said.

He clarified that while the assembly’s by-laws allow churches and other groups to apply for temporary use of open spaces within school compounds, the use of classrooms or enclosed structures is strictly prohibited.

Williams further noted that the church’s activities went largely undetected because there were no visible signs indicating that religious services were being held at the location.

“I didn’t know there was even a church service going on here. You don’t have any banner here for you to know.

"Under the rules of the assembly, we don’t even give permits for churches to run in classrooms. It is an illegal act,” he indicated.

MRA/AE

Newtown School Collapse: 'I was sacked like a 'goat' when I got here - Henry Quartey alleges