Government Commissions Upgraded National Seismic Monitoring Network to Strengthen Earthquake Preparedness

Accra, Ghana — The Government of Ghana has officially commissioned the upgraded National Seismic Monitoring Network, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to improve earthquake detection, monitoring, and disaster preparedness.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described the project as more than the installation of new equipment, calling it a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure from earthquake-related hazards.

“Ghana has experienced several damaging earthquakes throughout its history, including major events in Axim in 1636, Accra in 1862 and 1939, and Ho in 1906. The 1939 Accra earthquake, estimated at magnitude 6.5, remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in the country’s history”, he recalled.

The Lands Minister noted that recent seismic activity, including the March 6, 1997 tremor and recurring earth movements recorded between 2018 and 2023, indicate that major fault systems in south-eastern Ghana remain active. He stressed that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, the country can strengthen its ability to detect, understand and respond to them.

As part of Government’s flagship programme of the resetting agenda, the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) replaced obsolete equipment, rebuilt and re-equipped remote seismic stations, and upgraded communication systems from aging satellite technology to modern cellular telemetry. The improvements now enable real-time transmission of seismic data to the national observatory.

According to Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, 20 of the country’s 21 seismic monitoring stations have been fully upgraded and are operational. The 13 strong-motion stations monitoring the Weija, Akuse and Akosombo dams have also been modernized. In addition, broadband stations are now capable of recording both ground-motion velocity and acceleration with greater precision.

He said the upgraded network will enable faster earthquake detection, accurate location, magnitude determination, real-time alerts and enhance data collection to support improved seismic hazard maps, inform building regulations, land-use planning, and infrastructure development.

He disclosed that beyond earthquake monitoring, the network will help safeguard critical national assets, including dams, ports, railways, bridges, energy facilities, and future nuclear power infrastructure. It is also expected to support safer mining operations through improved monitoring of seismic activity associated with blasting and underground mining activities.

In his welcome address, Director-General of GGSA, Dr. Prosper Akaba, recalled that the Authority has a proud history of earthquake monitoring since the colonial era. “Between 1914 and the early 1930s, the then Gold Coast Geological Survey Department operated a Milne Single-Boom Seismograph. This evolved into an analogue seismic network established in 1978 and later an eight-station digital network and stand-alone strong motion accelerographs on the country’s major dams in 2012 and 2015.”

“Today, we are commissioning a modernized seismic monitoring network incorporating broadband seismometers, strong-motion accelerographs, solar-powered remote stations, advanced telemetry systems, and modern data acquisition, processing, archiving, and event notification platforms”, he said proudly.