He stated that many people do not use the right channel when putting up buildings, especially by going to professional building contractors to help supervise their work but rather go in for anyone which in the end can cause a disaster.

Referencing the Turkey earthquake which resulted in over 40,000 deaths, Engr. Boateng said if that had happened in Ghana, it would have been more disastrous.

In an interview with Adom News, he said the lesson that must be learnt from it is that “we should go and seek professional advice when planning on putting up a structure.”

He said, “if individuals and companies want to put up a building, they should see to it that they go in for the licensed and professional ones instead of just listening to people who say that is how it is done because for earthquake–prone areas there are measures put in place with designs.”

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He added there are structural engineers, geological engineers and others who come together to do thorough work on the land and how people should construct to the extent that should something happen it would not be as disastrous.

Atsu has been missing for days after he was trapped under rubble since the earthquake that struck Turkey last Monday together with Hatayspor sporting director, Taner Savut.

However, some belongings of the former Newcastle United and Chelsea winger have been recovered but there are no signs of the 31-year-old.

Sechere provided an update on Twitter that the search is ongoing but requires more resources to increase the chances of locating Atsu.

“It has been nine days since the earthquake and we still have not located Christian. I am at the quake site in Hatay with Christian’s family. The scenes are unimaginable and our hearts are broken for all the people affected,” he wrote.

“During my time here we have been able to locate Christian Atsu’s exact room location, and we have found two pairs of his shoes.

“Yesterday, we received confirmation that thermal imagery was showing signs of up to five lives, however, I am told that the only real confirmation of life is through sight, smell and sound, and unfortunately we were not able to locate Christian.

“This is a difficult situation and we are extremely grateful to all the Turkish and foreign rescue teams, local civilians and volunteers for their efforts and response in rescuing survivors. However, we urgently need more resources, including a translator, on the ground.

“Things are moving incredibly slow and as a result of that many rescues are being delayed, and lives are being lost due to the lack of resources available to the workers. It is unfortunate that the club is not on the ground with us, side by side, in the search for Christian.

“Their position and influence, accompanied with their local knowledge would be extremely helpful. We implore the President of the club and mayor of Hatay, Lütfü Savaş to provide additional resources to speed up the rescue efforts as a priority.”

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Atsu moved to Turkey last September and scored his first goal for Hatayspor just hours before the devastating earthquake. To date, the disaster has claimed the lives of over 35,000 individuals.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani and several Ghanaians have called on authorities to intensify the search of the winger.

Almost 40,000 people are believed to have died in two quakes that struck the two countries a week ago.

More than one million people have been left homeless in Turkey and the number could be much higher in Syria, aid organisations have warned.

Rescue operations are beginning to wind down in the two countries.

The Qatari Fund for Development – a government body responsible for international development and foreign aid – tweeted a video of the first batch of accommodation being sent to affected areas.

A Qatari official said: “The plans of the 2022 World Cup always intended for such temporary accommodations to be donated.

“However in view of the urgent needs in Turkey and Syria, we have taken the decision to ship our cabins and caravans to the region, providing much needed and immediate support to the people of Turkey and Syria.”

The family is reported to have survived in their collapsed home in the region, which is located close to the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude quake.

After the parents and their two daughters and son were brought to safety, rescuers are reported to have cheered and chanted “God is Great!”.

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The same news outlet reports further miraculous rescues today – including a seven-year-old girl who was pulled from the debris in the province of Hatay after almost 132 hours.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country on Monday.

Speaking in an interview, Okyere revealed that the disaster has left her fearing for her life and hasn’t been able to sleep for the last four days.

“I have not been sleeping for four days – I’m so scared to go to sleep. Even today, we had a safe place to sleep. I haven’t closed my eyes from 5am till now,” the midfielder told BBC Africa Sport.

“When someone bangs the door, I wake up because I’m scared. I don’t want to close my eyes and realise this thing is happening again.”

Okyere plays for Hatayspor’s women’s team and was lucky to have survived the earthquake, having since been relocated to Turkey’s capital, Ankara.

“I was terrified. I cried for days. I can’t imagine how lucky we were to get out of that situation because most people couldn’t get out. But we were able to,” she added.

Okyere previously played for Ampem Darkoa Ladies in the Ghana Women’s Premier League.

Meanwhile, Christian Atsu who plays for Hatayspor has been trapped in the rubble and is yet to be rescued.

It was reported Atsu, who plays for Turkish club Hatayspor, was rescued from a building “with injuries”.

But a day later his agent later confirmed his whereabouts are unknown.

“I still pray, and believe that he is alive,” Claire Rupio, who lives in Newcastle, UK, told BBC News.

Rupio says conflicting reports about his whereabouts have been “confusing” and “quite shocking”, revealing their children heard on the radio that he was still missing.

She said: “I appeal for the Hatayspor club, the Turkish authorities, and the British government, to send out the equipment to get people out of the rubble – especially my partner and father of my children.

“They need the equipment to get them out – they can’t get that deep without the equipment. And time is running out.”

More than 21,000 people have died in southern Turkey and northern Syria since the earthquake and aftershocks that followed.

Atsu – together with Taner Savut, the sporting director of Atsu’s club Hatayspor – has not been seen since Monday’s quake.

On Tuesday, Hatayspor’s vice president told Turkish media that Atsu had been found alive, but on Wednesday other figures from the club, as well as Atsu’s agent Nana Sechere said they had not been able to confirm this.

Rupio said that the agent is now in Turkey and attempting to get to the building in Hatay where Atsu is inside.

Sechere tweeted on Thursday: “The situation remains the same, Christian Atsu is yet to be found. Unless I see Christian or speak with him, I have no further updates.”

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“They know where the building is, and they’re trying their best to rescue everybody,” added Rupio.

“They know there are people still trapped under the rubble, but the problem is that they don’t have the equipment necessary to get them out.

“So he’s still missing, and we don’t know where he is.”

‘Atsu reports have been confusing and shocking’

Rupio last spoke to Atsu on Saturday morning. She described the inaccurate news from the club about Atsu having been rescued as “quite shocking.”

“The club were confirming that he was found and was alive and taken to hospital, and 11 hours later my children had to hear from the radio that they still did not know where he is,” she said.

“I know that his agent is there, and trying their best to find him. He will obviously bring me the news that I can trust if he sees him or speaks to him. Everything is quite confusing.”

Atsu, 31, played 107 games for Newcastle and had spells with Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth.

The Premier League has announced it will donate £1m to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal to deliver humanitarian aid to those in Turkey and Syria in need of it.

Also, as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives, or are affected by these tragic events, Premier League players and match officials will wear black armbands at games this weekend.

More than 5,000 people have lost their lives in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake.

“Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace,” the club said on Twitter.

“We will not forget you, beautiful person,” it added.

Turkaslan, 28, played six times for Turkish second-division club Yeni Malatyaspor after joining in 2021.

Former Crystal Palace and Everton winger Yannick Bolasie, who currently plays for Turkish second-tier side Caykur Rizespor, said on Twitter: “RIP brother Eyup Ahmet Turkaslan. One moment you can see someone in the dugout, the next moment they’re gone.”

Bolasie added: “My condolences to all his family and team-mates at Yeni Malatyaspor. Devastating to hear and wish we can all continue to help everyone in need.”