Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has called on the media to be circumspect in reporting, commenting, discussing and writing about disasters. It also entreated the public to take a cue from the effects of false reportage on disasters.

NADMO was reacting to the earthquake scare in Ghana on Sunday, January 17, in a statement issued in Accra on Monday by Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Co-ordinator.

It said the misinformation purported to have originated from the national Aeronautic Space Agency (NASA)of the US that an earthquake would occur in Ghana during the early hours of Monday, January 18. The statement said "NASA has categorically denied ever issuing any such statement and neither the government nor any of its disaster management agencies have at any time issued any prediction of an earthquake".

It said earthquakes were natural occurrences that could not be prevented however, their effects could be mitigated when the right things were put in place.

It includes abiding by the national building regulations, building of earthquake resilient structures by seeking professional advice from geologists architects and engineers. NADMO therefore, urged the citizenry to take precautionary measures against natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and windstorms.

"In an event of an earthquake avoid standing close to buildings, trees, pylons, poles or on bridges. If indoors hide under stable objects such as tables and beds to avoid falling objects. Cautiously move into open spaces after the initial shock and remain outdoors," it added. The statement assured the public that NADMO together with all related agencies would continue with education and preparedness programmes to ensure that the effects of earthquakes and other disasters were reasonably mitigated.