Million will perish to an Earthquake of magnitude higher than 7.0 in Ghana

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By Richard Agodzo 

 


Ghana will record more that a million death and casualties if it is hit by an earthquake with a similar magnitude that hit Syria and Turkiye.

Overtime, Accra has experienced several earth tremors. The recent was felt  on Friday, March 10, 2023 at a magnitude of 2.8. According to the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA), said it was a minor incident which is not expected to cause damage.

The GGSA explained that, the 2.8 recorded on the Richter scale had it epicenter located 1.5km offshore near James Town.

On Monday December 12, 2022, Accra experienced a moderate earth tremor at magnitude 4.0, with it epicenter located in the western part of Accra, 10km from Gbawe.

The phenomenon which took place at 11:53 am local time occurred three times in a space for about five hours.

Though Ghana is far away from the major earthquake zones of the world. it is however prone to earthquake disaster. Ghana has records of damaging earthquakes dating as far back as 1636.

The three major ones occurred in 1862, 1906 and 1939. The most destructive earthquake that struck the then Gold Coast and caused a a lot of damage and loss of life and property was the 22nd June 1939 earthquake .

17 people were killed and 133 injured. It magnitude was 6.5 on the Richter scale. Three tremors occurred on January 8, February 14 and March 6, 1997 registering 3.8, 4.1 and 4.8 respectively on the Richter scale.

Caution to the Future
Mr Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority has cautioned private and commercial developers against building along the McCarthy Hill, Weija and Aburi ridges. He described those areas as “high risk zones” and that occupants would experience the impact of any future earthquake or tremor, the most.  

It added that, residents are putting their selves in danger, city authorities must stop building and those areas were not meant for human habitation and that even if one wanted to site a building there, it must be earthquake resistant. 

Other areas were: Gbawe, Kwabenya, Ofankor, Nkawkaw scarp, Voltaian Scarp, Jamase-Ashanti Mampong, Gambaga-Nakpanduri Road and Larteh. 

Mr Mwinbelle advised developers not to waste resources and put the lives of people in danger, urging them to learn from earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria. 

He said indications were that, Ghana could experience earthquake anytime and that the best approach to reduce the impact was to avoid high risk zones and adhere to safety standards.   


In Ghana measures to survive an earthquake is not known by all and this will lead to millions of death when we are hit by a magnitude above 7.0.

Before An Earthquake 

  • Prepare for a probable earthquake by creating a family plan that includes how to contact each other and where to meet. 
  • Learn how to act in the case of an earthquake by participating in simulations in your community/workplace/school. 
  • Talk to your children about what to do if there is an earthquake, and especially, what to do if they are alone when one occurs. 
  • Locate the safest places in your home/workplace/school to take shelter in an earthquake, and identify evacuation routes. 
  • Keep emergency telephone numbers close at hand (civil defense, ambulance, hospitals, fire department, police, etc.). 
  • Make sure you have sufficient emergency supplies, including clean water, non-perishable foods, prescription drugs, first aid kit, batteries, radio, and food for pets. Keep important documents such as passports or identity documents with you. 
  • Prepare an emergency backpack/kit in case you have to evacuate the area. 
  • If there is a pregnant woman in the family, prepare a pregnancy kit with medical documents, medicines, and other things that might be necessary if she is hospitalized for delivery or any complication.


During An Earthquake
  • Stay calm and, if necessary, help calm the people who are with you.
  • Stay away from windows and from objects that could fall, such as loose electrical wires. 
  • Go to a safe place and take a protective position next to a wall or solid piece of furniture.
  • If you need to evacuate, use stairs, not elevators. Go to a safe area.
  • Follow the instructions of civil defense officials and other authorities.
  • If you are trapped, try to strike a metal object to make noise.
  • If you are on a public street or road, move away from utility poles, cables, and high buildings.

After An Earthquake
  • Check the condition of your dwelling. If you consider it unsafe, notify the authorities and go to a temporary shelter, or stay with acquaintances or family members.
  • Consult official sources to get the most up-to-date information.
  • Be careful with electrical currents, propane/natural gas lines, and sources of chemical hazards.
  • Help your family members and community by offering messages of support and encouragement. 
By Witness Eye

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