By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Nov. 21, GNA – The Ghana Geological Survey Authority has called on the Ho Municipal Assembly to halt all development projects on the Kabakaba Hill section of the Akuapim-Togoland Mountain range in the Volta Regional capital.
The Volta Region is located within the pan-African middle belt known for earthquake density, and Mr Anani Ayite, the Volta Regional Director, Geological Survey Authority, said the rate of structural development on the hill increased the risk of earth movements and that should be checked.
He made the call at a workshop for the media in the region, organised by the Authority.
The Volta Region recorded its last major earthquake in 1906, with magnitude five on the Richter scale, after which a seismic station was installed on the Kabakaba Hill.
Ho remains a moderate to high seismic zone, but despite known caution, physical structures continue to multiply on the sedimentary hill, and these include hotels and private residences.
The Regional Director said the Authority would undertake extensive geo-maping of the Municipality, flaked buy the trans regional mountain range.
The mapping should provide appropriate guides for sitting of structures with applicable structural engineering to mitigate risks.
“The rocks on the Kabakaba Hill are not very stable. They are layered and are decaying, and in no time when they are completely decayed, all these buildings will collapse. So, I am suggesting to the Assembly that for now building permits in those areas should be put on hold,” he said.
“We want to conduct geohazard mapping of the whole of Ho. What is important now is that we come up with a report, a recommendation as to if somebody wants to develop and put up any building there, with the collaboration with civil engineers, the foundation can be appropriately built so that it will stand.”
“Geo-hazard is not something that you can predict, but you can forecast. Looking at the place, it is likely that in the future something can happen but as to when you can tell. These are earth movements that you can’t predict.”
The one-day media sensitisation workshop on earthquake and risk reduction was on the theme: “Resourcing the GGSA, a Necessary Tool to Regulate the Extractive Industry”.
Mr Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, the Director General of the Authority, said the media remained critical partner in ensuring compliance and support for a safer built environment.
“The Authority has been mandated to conduct geological investigation leading to the discovery of minerals and also to conduct geotechnical investigation that would be used in land use planning to undertaken before any structure is constructed…”
“The Authority recognises the critical role the media plays in the dissemination of information and in bringing to the fore the critical issues that concerns Ghana. So we need to engage the media to play that advocacy role for the Authority to ensure its activities are properly highlighted…” he said.
Mr Mwinbelle said a Legislative Instrument was in the works to grant the Authority to halt non-certified projects.
Mr Augustus Awiti, the Volta Regional Coordinating Director, said a technical committee would be formed to access the situation on the Kabakaba Hill, findings of which would be shared with stakeholders.
He urged the media to take up the responsibility of public education and awareness, and assured that the Regional Coordinating Council would provide the needed facilitation.
GNA