Traditional rulers and residents of Adukrom in the Eastern Region have been provided extensive sensitization on earthquake and other seismic activities by the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA).
The event which formed part of the celebration of Adukrom’s local festival, Akwasidae, was undertaken by the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) to enlighten residents on earthquakes and other disasters.
Part of the training included the GGSA elaborating on a technological device that detects earthquakes and tremors. The EQG-II which was donated to the GGSA and NADMO by the Challenge Company of Japan provides timely and perfect information on earthquake.
Mr. Nicholas Opoku, a Seismologist and Head of Earthquake Monitoring Division at GGSA, explained to the inhabitants and traditional leaders of Adukrom the purpose of the device.
He disclosed that the EQG-II is able to detect seismic and send out alarm for quick evacuation of people and movable objects within the catchment area. He noted that, at the same time, a control signal is sent to the elevator and equipment to enable an emergency stop.
“This device has specialized software to distinguish between earthquake and living noise generated close to this device, which prevents from the issuing of erroneous alarm. This device can display the seismic intensity of each observation point on the map at real-time. Control signals of this device can be issued to shut down chemical plants, nuclear facilities beforehand. This device can save people’s life and infrastructure.”
Nicholas Opoku
Mr Opoku revealed that within the Greater Accra Region, areas such as Weija in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, Peduase, Legon and Ayi Mensah, which are marked as earthquake-prone zones, have been installed with the device. He stated that strategic offices such as Parliament, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Jubilee House, University of Ghana, NADMO, GGSA among others, all have the device installed for monitoring and quick response when need be.
Addressing impact of potential earthquake in Ghana
On his part, the Chief of Adukrom, Nana Otutu Ababio V, commended the GGSA for the initiative which he described as timely and important.
The Adukromehene stated that in the wake of recent happenings in Turkey and reports of earth tremors in parts of Accra, it has become necessary for all Ghanaians to be equipped with knowledge about such occurrences.
He appealed to the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that in the event an earthquake occurs in the country, the impact will not be as devastating and widespread as seen in Syria and Turkey.
It will be recalled that the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) earlier in March this year appealed to government to help with $200 million for an “effective and fully operational monitoring system” in order to identify earthquakes or earth tremors when they are about to strike.
GGSA revealed that there are challenges confronting the authority and that the current budget allocation to the authority is inadequate.
Acting Director-General of the GGSA, Mr Isaac K. Mwinbelle, noted that the authority has submitted budget documents to the sector minister to intercede. To this end, he called on President Akufo-Addo to provide the GGSA with more resources so that the Authority can handle the tasks that have been assigned to it, especially its proposed $200 million.
Mr Mwinbelle further stated that the Authority’s operations will help the fight against Galamsey and, therefore, appealed to the government to help the GGSA swiftly.
Prior to this, the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) revealed that Ghana and Turkiye share earthquake history, drawing concerns about the mad rush on the part of the middleclass to scramble for lands in one of Accra’s residential areas prone to flooding and earthquakes.
Speaking during a sensitization workshop for media personnel at the National Seismic Observatory, the Director General of GGSA, Isaac K. Mwinbelle, recalled that the most destructive earthquakes that struck Ghana and caused a lot of damage, including loss of lives, occurred in 1939. He said the magnitude was 6.5 on the Richter scale.
The GGSA Director General emphasized that earthquakes cannot be prevented, and can strike anywhere at any time, highlighting that it had been historically observed that they occur in the same general patterns.
Accordingly, the GGSA warned that the series of tremor occurrences in parts of the country, especially in Greater Accra Region, over the years, is signal of a looming earthquake of greater magnitude in the future.
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