Earthquake detection equipment installed at Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly

• Posted on November 26, 2019
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Earthquake guard equipment has been installed at the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region to mitigate the impact of such disasters.

The equipment records and monitors seismological activities, evacuation drills and includes a complete software server to prompt early signals of disasters.

Speaking to Citi News, Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Julius Sarpei said his outfit is hopeful that the introduction of the equipment will help mitigate any pending disasters.

It’s an earthquake detection device so that in case we have the slightest tremor, it will sound an alarm and then we’ll be able to get people ready or evacuated or whatever measures we will take. So that we will be able to mitigate or minimize the extent of damage or loss of lives and property,” he said.

Committee set up to prepare for earthquakes

Following some tremors that took place in Accra in the early part of the year, the Ministry of Interior inaugurated a 10-member committee to develop a comprehensive programme for national earthquake preparedness and response.

The tremor which measured 3.9 on the Richter Scale had people living around Gbawe, Sowutuom, Old Kasoa Barrier, New Bortianor, Awoshie, Abelemkpe, Tabora, Achimota, Ablekuma, Kisseiman, Westland, Laterbiokorshie, Legon and McCarthy Hill in fear of a major earthquake.

Ambrose Dery, the Minister who set up the committee said: “These occurrences are quite worrying because the experts say some tremors may be the warning signal of a major earthquake event… Should an earthquake hit Ghana today, there will be many unanswered questions.”

A similar tremor that happened in December last year had the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) warning Ghanaians to brace themselves for a possible earthquake.

While indicating that there were adequate signals that an earthquake was imminent, a senior official of the GGSA, Nicholas Opoku said there is the need for preparation to avoid surprises.