A four-day simulation exercise to test the country’s level of readiness to tackle earth-quake has ended in Accra with a call on the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to establish an exercising schedule to improve their operations.

Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, further urged organisations directly responsible for disaster management to keep working and training together in order to build on their effectiveness and synergies. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the earthquake simulation exercise held in Accra.

The last destructive earthquake in Ghana is said to have occurred in 1939 at 7.22 pm, with an estimated magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale.

Twenty-two personnel from North Dakota National Guard under the United States Africa Command took participants drawn from organisations that are directly responsible for disaster management such as the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Fire Service, the Ambulance Service, and the 48 Engineer Regiment through the exercise.

Participants were taken through Engineering, traffic management, hazard spillage, evacuation of the injured and communication among agencies during disasters. Mr Henry was elated over the enthusiasm and desire of personnel to learn, sharpen their operational skills and improve coordination in order to respond to crisis and bring hope to hopeless situations.

“This shows that we are committed to supporting our compatriots and all who find themselves in any crises and bring them immediate relief” Mr Quartey said. Mr Quartey, who is also Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso Central, further commended the United States Government for providing funding and top quality personnel to help facilitate the earthquake simulation exercise in Ghana.

“It is my fervent wish that our other development partners would emulate this noble gesture and support us in other areas of disaster resilience-building effort in the country,” he added.

Nana Agyeman-Prempeh, Director General, NADMO said a lot had been achieved during the simulation exercise but noted that some gaps had been identified. According to Nana Agyeman-Prempeh all the gaps such as funding and resources would soon be addressed.

“I wish to assure all Ghanaians that we have well- disciplined professionals who the nation can count on should any crisis happen”

The Director General of NADMO said his organisation would organise a similar exercise by using the knowledge acquired to enhance their operational skills. Lieutenant Colonel Mark McEvers, Leader of the North Dakota National Guards, lauded the efforts of the participants noting that the simulation exercise was very successful.

Lt. Col. McEvers presented plagues to personnel of the Ghana Police and Fire Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the National Ambulance Service and NADMO. Participants called for effective communication among agencies and adequate funding in order to deal disasters in the country.