Nat'l Security, Ministry of Interior tasked by Prez Akufo-Addo help minimize impact of earthquakes

The National Security and the Ministry of Interior have been tasked by President Akufo-Addo to come out with plans which will help minimise the impact of any possible earthquake in the country.

This directive from the President is as a result of recurrence of earth tremors in Accra.

Mr Eric Nana Agyemang who is the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in an interview with Daily Graphic confirmed the President's directive.

“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 co-ordinating agency,”

"Very soon, together with the National Security, NADMO, as the coordinating agency, is going to have workshops and inter-agency collaborations, where we will look at emergencies, including ambulance and health delivery. And I am very confident that very soon the final plan will be ready,” he said.

Mr Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh — Director General, NADMO

“It [earthquake] can happen; nothing can prevent it when it is happening. But we must be prepared, as a nation, so that when it happens, we know what to do,” he noted.

There were fresh cases of earth tremors last Saturday in places like Weija, McCarthy Hill, Gbawe, Sowutuom, Old Kasoa Barrier, New Bortianor, Awoshie, Abelemkpe, Tabora and Achimota.

The earth tremor, which was the fourth and the biggest in recent times and measured 3.6 on the Richter scale, has intensified conversations on what exactly is taking place and how the authorities are preparing for a possible earthquake.

Before the latest tremor, there had been similar ones on March 24, 2018, which measured 3.4; December 9, 2018,  measuring 3.3, and January 13, 2019, gauging 2.6 on the Richter scale.

Due to the fact that earthquakes occur suddenly and violently, experts say identifying the potential hazards ahead of time and putting measures in place to curb the situation will reduce the dangers associated.

Read also: Parts of Accra hit by Earth tremor

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