Ensure buildings are earthquake resistant – Prof Frimpong-Boateng

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation has encouraged Ghanaians to ensure that their buildings are earthquake resistant.

His call comes on the heel of a tremor that hit parts of Western Accra including Weija and Gbawe on Sunday.

Speaking with reporters in Parliament yesterday, Professor Frimpong-Boateng said earthquakes were natural occurrences and so it could not be prevented.

“Earthquake is a natural phenomenon. It also helps to regulate systems. So there is nothing we can do about this."

“We have to do things that will make whatever we do earthquake-proof. So we have to trust that God will continue to protect us as he has done for millions of years,” he said.

He said it was left with the citizenry to be ready for such eventualities by ensuring that their buildings were designed to withstand earthquakes.

The affected parts, largely hilly, have been considered earthquake-prone by the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA).

The Authority in the past had warned of possible earthquakes in the affected areas.

The latest development brought into sharp focus the preparedness of the country to respond to earthquakes as residential settlements spring up in the affected areas.