Earthquake Risk: the Opinion of Ghanaian Local Artisans

Abstract eng:
Natural disasters have numerous impacts on national economies and can have significant impact on the sustainability of long-term development and a country’s productive performance economy. A field survey was conducted between 2012 and 2013 to assess how Ghanaians of all works of life view risk associated with earthquake disaster. This paper particularly focuses on the earthquake risk perception of artisanal masons or so called “one-man contractors”, who form the group responsible for the construction of a large percentage of residential and informal buildings in the country. It provides an analysis of their seismic risk perception, and how such a perception is associated with demographic and socioeconomic variables. Furthermore, it analyses how their risk perception affects their behavior towards mitigation actions. The results of the study point to seismic risk perception behavior being greatly influenced by respondents’ demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, whereas mitigation actions also depend strongly on respondents’ demographic and socioeconomic status. It was noted from the study that the earthquake education is lacking and is a critical factor that needs to be addressed in the Ghanaian society. The findings will help Ghanaian local government authorities develop targeted policies earmarked at seismic risk disaster reduction, particularly for the sprawling urban centres.

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