Neglected vulnerabilities in a rapidly urbanizing city: reflections on earthquake risks in Accra

Abstract

There is a critical need for awareness and urgent debate about the growing vulnerability of Accra to seismicity in the light of unregulated spatial growth and development. This has resulted from developers' inability to adhere to the appropriate construction standards or city authorities' failure to implement even the modest regulations. This study examines the vulnerability of Accra to earthquake risk using case studies in five seismic risk settlements. In an innovative methodology, the quality of building materials used in the research localities was analysed while the residents' perception of earthquakes was examined through focus group discussions. The results show that most developers not only fail to comply with the requisite zoning practices, building codes and regulations but also use inferior building materials. Additionally, they hold misconceptions about their level of vulnerability. A proactive land use planning, strict compliance with existing regulations and the need to build the capacity of the National Disaster Management Organization are considered very prudent to help protect lives and properties.

The Central Medical Store Fire Disaster: A Test for Institutional Compliance in Disaster Prevention in Ghana

“…The national introspection highlighted the apparent weak institutional arrangements toward disaster risk prevention, preparedness, and mitigation in Ghana, a situation that has also been giving extensive attention in some previous studies. Building disaster risk prevention is viewed as cross-cutting themes in disaster management and therefore requires proper coordination of all institutions concerned with disaster management (Chang-Seng, 2013;Oteng-Ababio, 2011;Pelling, 2003). The framework for disaster management in Ghana which is placed under the MOI also mandates the Ministry to work with the Ministries of Finance, Health, Environment, and Works and Housing, among others, to deliver proper disaster prevention services.…”

Was ‘Black Wednesday’ avoidable? The Melcom disaster in Accra puts a generation on trial

“…The current process for acquiring a building permit, which should be completed within a four‐month time span, involves getting approval for planning schemes as well as for architectural and engineering designs. Furthermore, the building process itself must be inspected at least five times during the construction phase: after the foundations have been laid and after completion of the first floor, the lintel, the roof and finally the overall structure (Oteng‐Ababio, ). In addition, all installations, including fire safety measures and hydrants, are to be inspected and certified by the appropriate agencies before permission for occupancy is granted.…”

The Reality and Dilemma in Using Community Risk Assessment as a Disaster Risk Reduction Tool in Ghana

“…The project failed to consider the possible down-drift transfer of the problem, thereby consigning communities like Kedzi, Horvi, Vodza, etc., to perpetual tidal waves and continued coastal erosion (Keta Municipality, 2012). Recent research (Allen, 2006;Oteng-Ababio, 2012) has challenged the dominance of the top-down approach to DRR. Allen (2006) for example extols the virtues of the bottom-up approach, which has as its objective community empowerment and the transfer of ideas from the "bottom to the top".…”

“…In recent years, the Ghanaian economy has been impacted by numerous natural and man-made disasters, differing in scale, magnitude and prevalence (see Oteng-Ababio, 2012;2013a,b). With many local communities struggling in conditions of poverty, the government and its development partners are challenged to address widespread vulnerability and investigate specific hazards, constrained by locational, financial capacity limitations.…”