Final Blog: Ghana 🇬🇭

The two hazards that Ghana is prone to would be tsunamis/floods and extreme heat. Those two hazards are highly dangerous hazards for the country of Ghana. Yes, they are natural hazards that can not be necessarily prevented but there are resources to provide help beforehand and after. Identifying the hazard and providing education on the topic will be significantly helpful. Buildings and the way they are structured will create a safer spot if one's found to be during a tsunami. As every weather is unpredictable I would try my best to create a safe zone area for the people in Ghana. In the safe zone area, I'd make sure to have food, updates on the situation, shelter, and miscellaneous supplies. There is no way to help fully prevent the two natural hazards but ways to help before or during. 

There is no way to help fully prevent floods but ways to help before or during. Such as turning off the power, gas, and water, locking indoors, staying away from windows, and having an evacuation plan set. From the information read online, there can be steps to take to create a secure and safe space. Another thing is to organize disaster supplies. Money may be an issue to the country but having unlimited money to help I will make sure the country is safe. Strengthen houses to be against certain flood damages. I would rather be safe than sorry by proving as much safety as there can be. If an alert was to go off, go to a place as high and as far inland as possible. Creating a more sustained locked water-resistant place would be a great input. In more places where a Tsunami would damage I'd input in adding building codes addressing its a tsunami hazard zone. Along with coming up with a post-tsunami recovery plan if one were to hit. 

A way to prevent extreme weather (heat) from happening is to prepare. With the unlimited money, I'd make sure to create a community indoor cooling air-conditioned area. Provide many fluid drinks to the entire community around Ghana. Along with giving them light-colored clothes and sun sunscreen to help ease the conditions. 

 

  Extreme weather is also another unpredictable hazard. It could occur at any time without being advised beforehand. The country of Ghana certainly has some extreme weather. Matter of fact it is in the high zone for extreme heat. Climate and rainfall variations have also contributed to an ecological imbalance. In the northern part of Ghana, there have been both floods and droughts which they're becoming more frequent occurrences alongside high temperatures and extreme heat. Some sources that can be provided to Ghana to help the heat are increasing tree and vegetative cover, installing green roofs, using cool pavements, cooling centers for the community centers, and being alerted of information coming across. The average temperatures in Ghana rise beyond 86 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit impacting people’s lives and ability to work. Recently as in 2022, Ghana has been getting heavy rainfall that goes on for 24 hours and extreme flooding causing certain parts of Ghana to get destroyed. Accra has been hit with a series of flooding in May and June of 2022. It is causing worries about the city's capacity for climate resilience if it continues to go on. 

All over the country of Ghana, river flood hazard is classified as high. This means that potentially damaging and life-threatening river floods are expected to occur at least once in the next 10 years. Poor drainage systems cause floods in urban areas which are highly classified floods. Towns such as Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi have poorly constructed drains. The result is that when the rains fall heavily, there is an overflow of water, even in areas considered to be dry.

For extreme heat weather, I constructed a home near the Western part of Ghana. As it is in the medium range of heat. I would still make sure the home has all necessities to survive such as an AC and water are two important items. If I am building a home based on floods it will be in the upper western area. It is less eligible for a disaster flood making it a more secure place with proper building of course.