Management of earthquake is everybody's business

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - Brigadier Joseph Odei, National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) on Friday said management of earthquake was the responsibility of everybody.

"When all of us are conscious of our expectations during an earthquake, half of the problem on management could be solved," he said. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Accra, Brigadier Odei said nobody could prevent a disaster in totality, especially natural disasters.

He said that although developed countries such as Japan had experienced many earthquakes, they had not been able to find solutions to the disaster. This is because nobody could determine when it would happen and the extent or its intensity.

Brigadier Odei said NADMO was undertaking educational campaigns to educate the public on their expectations during disasters. "It is unfortunate that most Ghanaians are not aware of the signs of human induced disaster and their prevention when they go about their daily chores."

The National Coordinator expressed concern about the building of structures in urban centres and called on the Town and Country Planning Department to scrutinize building plans before approval. He also advised Ghanaians to insure their property against disasters.