Head of Earthquake Monitoring Division of Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Nicholas Opoku, has called for more education on natural disasters especially at disaster prone areas. He said people should heed to early warnings and act swiftly when the signals are given.
Mr. Opoku who was speaking at a Training of Trainers on Earthquake Disaster Risk Reduction said the country is not prepared for any serious disaster like earthquake should it occur.
He said key measures must be taken by relevant agencies to empower communities to be well prepared and resilient for such occurrences.
The spate of disasters both natural and technologically induced ones have significantly increased with serious socio-economic impacts.
In recent months two disastrous events struck North Africa. First a 6.8 magnitude earthquake devastated central Morocco, second torrential rains caused by Storm Daniel which led two dams to collapse in north east Libya.
Right here in Ghana there has been an increasing spate of high tidal waves due to climate change since 2013. These high waves have resulted in the flooding of some communities in the Volta and Eastern Regions.
Head of Earthquake Monitoring Division of Ghana Geological Survey, Nicholas Opoku urged people to be conscious of their surroundings and be aware that history is likely to repeat.
He said earthquake can occur at any time and day since Ghana experienced it 70 years ago.
Mr. Opoku called on people to desist from putting up structures in areas that are prone earthquake.
Mr. Opoku said these impacts can be reduced through proactive measures and planning. Head of Education Section, UNESCO Prosper Nyavor said the Training is to equip various agencies with requisite tools and ideas for them to impact it on society to be abreast of disaster issues.
Mr. Nyavor said UNESCO empathises with the flood victims of the Akosombo spillage. Simulation exercises was organised for participants.
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