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.