Pounding fufu doesn’t cause earthquake – Geological Authority

The Ghana Geological Survey Authority has dispelled a perception by a section of the Ghanaian public that pounding fufu can cause earthquakes.

This follows last Sunday’s incident as some residents in and around Kasoa, Gbawe, Weija and some other areas in Accra experienced an earth tremor.

The incident put fear in residents but the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has allayed all fears claiming it knows all the fault line.

Discussing the issue on TV3’s Saturday morning show, The Key Points, with stakeholders, a viewer sent in a message wanting to know if pounding fufu – a local staple – causes earthquake.

Host of the show Abena Tabi referred the question to a senior seismologist from the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Nicholas Opoku, who was also on the panel, for clarification.

Mr. Opoku stated categorically that it is not true that pounding fufu causes earthquakes.

He explained that the force which emanates from the act of pounding fufu is not strong enough to cause a quake, adding “it cannot even move a fly”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Opoku bemoaned the Authority is restricted in what it can do because its functions have not changed significantly even though it was made an authority in 2016.

He said the Authority does not still have the powers of an authority so it only plays an advisory role.

According to him, the Authority does not have a board which he said makes it difficult for them to get Legislative Instruments in place to be able to function effectively.

He specifically mentioned that the Authority does not have the power to demolish structures that are found to be in earthquake prone areas.

The Authority only does an assessment and advise NADMO where the need be, he added.