Emergency/Disaster Preparedness And Interventions Among Employees Of Ghana Cocoa Board Head Office (Cocoa House)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Emergencies/Disasters be they natural or manmade can occur without warning and therefore there is the need for effective emergency/disaster preparedness and management plan in any organization. It is therefore important to have knowledgeable personnel in the management of emergencies/disasters through emergency drills training and simulation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated emergency and disaster preparedness in Ghana Cocoa Board Head Office through availability and employees’ knowledge about emergency/disaster preparedness plan and its implementation. METHODS: The study was a cross sectional study conducted to gather data from employees of Ghana Cocoa Board Head Office on availability of an emergency/disaster plan and their knowledge on emergency preparedness. The study used structured questionnaires in addition to personal interview of key informants to evaluate the emergency/disaster preparedness plan and its implementation. RESULTS: Ghana Cocoa Board as an institution has emergency/disaster preparedness plan. This is in accordance with National Disaster Management Organization Act 517, 1996, which mandates organizations to have emergency/disaster plan. Majority, 79(75.2%) of the respondents said that they had knowledge on emergency/disaster preparedness and knew what to do before, during and after an emergency, whereas 86(83.5%) of said they were aware of all emergency exits at Cocoa House. The study showed that 48(47.1%) had ever participated in drills or simulation exercises, even though drill and simulation exercises were not frequent in Cocoa House. Almost all respondents 103(99%) said they were aware of where fire extinguishers were placed of whom 74(70.5%) said they had knowledge in the use fire extinguishers. According to respondents, floods (23.8%) and fires (20%) were the most common emergencies that could affect Cocoa House and its surroundings. Finally, the study also showed that (51. 4%) of respondents were aware of any disaster that had occurred at the Cocoa House and surroundings in the past five years. CONCLUSION: The study showed that although there is an emergency/disaster preparedness plan at Cocoa House, the main focus is on fire and smoke prevention and control. It is important that equal attention is paid to other aspect of the emergency/disaster preparedness plan.