Ghana has been without a seismograph for the past two years, making it difficult for the Geological Survey Department to monitor possible earthquakes in the country.
A seismograph is the instrument for measuring and recording the movement of the earth during earthquakes. Speaking to the media yesterday on the earthquake scare that rocked the country, on Sunday night, the director of the department, Mr John Agyei Daudu, said the equipment located at its head office in Accra and its station at Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region installed many years ago had not been functioning.
The equipment in Accra, installed in 1988, broke down two years ago while the one at Kukurantumi, fixed in 1923 is said to have gone out of order many years ago. This makes it difficult for personnel to synchronise information regarding monitoring of any possible quake in earthquake prone areas like Akosombo, Shai Hills, Weija, Koforidua, Ho, Kukurantumi and Gomoa Nyanyano.
During a recent familarisation tour of the department, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Collins Dauda is said to have promised that the equipment would be replaced to facilitate the department�s operations.
Mr. Daudu said Ghana recorded its first earthquake at Axim in 1638 and at Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region 1939 on a 6.5 richter scale. He explained that measurements between one and 4.5 richter scale are tremor but beyond five is an earth quake that can cause damage. He described as uncalled for last Sunday wide rumours of an impending earthquake, saying: �nobody can predict that occurrence of earthquakes.�
He said even with sophisticated equipment to monitor such occurrences, nations were taken unawares and suffer to fate of earthquakes.
Mr. Duodo stressed the need for constant public education on issues relating to earthquakes and what people should do in times of crisis. He advised that in the event of a crisis people should not unduly panic but could hide under tables, or move out from their rooms into open spaces to avoid being trapped by rubbles.
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