Earthquakes In Ghana

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Ghana is not located in an earthquake-prone area but it has had its fair share of earthquakes and tremors over the years. The history of recorded earthquakes and tremors in Ghana date as far back as 1615. Most of the earthquakes and tremors have been around the magnitude of 4 on the Richter scale. Earthquakes and tremors that normally cause damage to property have a magnitude of 5.5 and upwards.

History of Earthquakes and Tremors in Ghana

Date	Location	Magnitude	Effect
1615	Elmina	–	Sao Jorge fortress was destroyed
1636	Axim	5.7	Miners were buried alive
1862	Accra	6.5	3 people died with many structures destroyed
1872	Accra	–	Damage to buildings
20 November, 1906	Ho & Eastern Region	Less than 4	Destroyed buildings
11 February, 1907	Accra & Lome	–
11 May, 1911	Accra	–	No damage
22 June, 1939	Accra, Jamestown	6.5	17 people were killed, 133 injured and an estimated one million pounds worth of damage done to buildings
11 March, 1964	Akosombo	4.5
9 February, 1969	Accra	4.7
6 March, 1997	Accra	4.8	Lots of panic
2003	Accra	4	No major damage
24 March, 2018	Accra	4	No major damage
9 December, 2018	Accra	–	No major damage
January, 2019	Accra	–	No major damage
February, 2019	Accra	–	No major damage
2 March, 2019	Accra	–	No major damage
24 June, 2020	Accra, Cape Coast	4	No major damage

Information was gathered from a research publication and a news article.

The most recent earth tremor was recorded on 24 June, 2020 at 10:53 pm just 7 km from Gbawe. But it was felt in Accra and some parts of Cape Coast. You can report what you felt to help gather information on the event.

Building Earthquake Resistant Buildings

When earthquakes or earth tremors strike, the most damaged structures are normally buildings. Real estate developers should have their buildings retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and tremors. There are two major fault zones in Ghana at Akwapim and the coastal boundary. These areas are prone to seismic activity so it is advisable to build highly earthquake-resistant buildings within these areas. Developers are advised to perform a geotechnical evaluation on their properties.

This will provide information on the physical properties of soil, earthworks and foundations for structures to help identify and repair distress to earthworks and structures caused by subsurface conditions.

Earthquakes are natural phenomena we don’t have much control over but we can take some measures, such as those listed above, to help reduce the damage caused by earthquakes in Ghana and thereby preserve and protect lives and property or real estate.

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