[ 2019-03-04 ]

EarthQuake Risk - Ghana

Accra tremors:National Security, Interior Ministry alert for possible earthquake
President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has put the
National Security and the Ministry of the Interior
on alert for a possible earthquake as tremors
increase.

The President has asked the two agencies to
prepare for a national earthquake emergency plan
that will minimise its impact if it occurs.

The directive followed the recurrence of earth
tremors in Accra in recent times.

“I can tell you that the President has
shown interest in the recurrence of earth tremors
in parts of the national capital and has directed
the National Security and the Ministry of the
Interior to work on a national earthquake
preparedness plan, with the National Disaster
Management Organisation (NADMO) as the
coordinating agency,” the Director-General
of NADMO, Mr Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, tod the
Daily Graphic in Accra on Sunday.

The Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA)
confirmed what it describes as a “moderate
earthquake” in Accra with a 3.9 magnitude on
a Richter scale.

The incident happen Saturday at about 11:22pm and
was felt 15km away from GIMPA where the Survey
Authority’s equipment is located.

Related: 'Moderate earthquake' as Accra records
highest seismic activity in 2019

It was felt in the usual suspected places like
Weija, Gbawe, McCarthy Hill which is within the Ga
South Municipality. It was also experienced in
other areas such as Gbawe, Sowutuom, Old Kasoa
Barrier, New Bortianor, Awoshie, Abelemkpe,
Tabora, Achimota, Ablekuma, Kisseiman, Westland,
Laterbiokorshie and Legon.

According to a GGSA senior official, Nicholas
Opoku, the 3.9-magnitude recorded is the highest
in 2019.

He said the Survey Authority recorded
2.6-magnitude on the Richter scale on January 13,
201,9 and 2.8 in February 25, 201,9 with the third
pointing to increasing seismic activity within
Accra.

“As for bigger earthquakes, one day it will
come”, he said in an interview with Joy
News’ Fred Smith. He predicted but
“as to when is always a problem that
semiologist has not been able to unravel,”
he said.

Image result for earthquakes seismic Ghana

Experts believe that identifying the potential
hazards ahead of time and putting in place the
right planning could reduce the accompanying
dangers.

“Very soon, together with the National
Security, NADMO, as the coordinating agency, is
going to have workshops and their inter-agency
collaborations, where we will look at emergencies,
including ambulance and health delivery. And I am
very confident that very soon a final plan will be
ready,” the Daily Graphic newspaper quotes
Mr Agyemang Prempeh.

Source - Graphic

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