President Akufo-Addo, has dispensed some directives to Ministries, Departments and Agencies in response to a report gathered by a committee of experts. These experts were instructed to assess the country’s state of readiness for the occurrence of earthquakes.
According to the President this has become necessary due to the sporadic earth tremors experienced by the country in recent times. Also, the confirmation that Ghana is vulnerable to earthquakes resulted in the establishment of the Technical Committee.
This committee was to prepare “A Framework for Refocusing Ghana’s Earthquake Preparedness and Response”.
President Akufo-Addo has, therefore, endorsed the report and recommendations of the Committee, together with its action plan.
Subsequently, the President explained that the collapse of structures during earthquakes is responsible for human and economic losses.
“This means that to avoid or reduce these losses, we need to ensure that buildings, including dwellings, dams and bridges, are structurally competent and resilient to earthquakes of a higher magnitude.
“Constructing well-engineered structures, including dams and roads and retrofitting important lifeline buildings such as hospitals, schools, churches, and mosques cannot be compromised. That is why I urge the Engineering Council of the Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that a comprehensive integrity audit of all public buildings and structures is conducted and Government appropriately advised”.
Ghana Geological Service urged to advise government
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo has urged the Ghana Geological Survey Authority to advise Government on the logistics and equipment required by the Authority. This is to enable them undertake constant monitoring of activities for prompt action.
He further revealed that such preparedness is vital to survival. The President equally averred that it is important for Ghanaians to be knowledgeable in their response to future earthquakes.
“I have already instructed the leadership of NADMO to liaise with the Ghana Education Service to help incorporate learning themes on protection against earthquakes and other disasters in the curricula at the pre-tertiary education level.
“Again, I have encouraged NADMO to embark on a sustained education campaign for the entire population in this regard. I have requested regular updates from the Director-General of NADMO on progress made”.
Housing Ministry tasked to educate homeowners
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo has encouraged the Ministries of Works and Housing and other state institutions to collaborate with the Ghana Institution of Engineers.
He explained that their part is to develop a scheme that will entail home-owners retrofitting their homes. And this is to make them resistant to earthquakes.
This, he believes, will propel prospective home-owners to build in accordance with defined standards.
“I want to reiterate my total commitment as President to ensuring that Government protects the entire citizenry from the effects of earthquakes and other disasters that might ravage any part of the nation.
“We will continue to equip NADMO and indeed all response agencies, to enhance their operational effectiveness”.
The President further encouraged stakeholders to work “collaboratively, devoid of turf wars and other counter-productive tendencies”.
“Disaster preparedness and mitigation are a shared and collective responsibility. Let us put our shoulders to the wheels and safeguard Mother Ghana.”
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