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Claim: A viral social media graphic claims that a high-level tsunami threat has been detected in the Atlantic Ocean and that coastal communities in Ghana, including Accra, Tema, La, Teshie, and Prampram, could be affected within one to three hours.
Verdict: False! The graphic shared by Frieda Yayra Amable and circulated on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Snapchat lacked official support or scientific evidence. No Ghanaian authority issued such a warning, and the alleged source cited in the graphic could not be verified. Although Ghana is not completely immune to tsunami events, there was no evidence of an active tsunami threat when the claim circulated.
Full Text
A graphic claiming that Ghana was under a tsunami threat circulated widely on social media, generating concern among users.
The post was shared on Facebook by Frieda Yayra Amable on July 3, 2026, at about 9:00 pm. The post had attracted 333 likes, 132 comments and 34 reposts on Facebook at the time of review. The same graphic was also circulated on other platforms, including WhatsApp and Snapchat.
The graphic, titled “Tsunami Alert for Accra,” claimed that a high-level tsunami threat had been detected in the Atlantic Ocean and warned residents in coastal communities such as Accra, Tema, La, Teshie, and Prampram to move to higher ground immediately.
It advised residents to avoid beaches and low-lying areas and monitor updates from emergency authorities.
Meanwhile, the alert attributed the information to the “Ghana Tsunami Early Warning System (GTEWS)” and displayed logos associated with Ghanaian institutions, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), making it appear to be an official emergency warning.
The circulation of the graphic prompted several reactions from social media users. Some users expressed concern, while others questioned the credibility and source of the information. These reactions showed that some members of the public were unsure whether the alert was genuine, prompting the need for verification.
One user, Man InBlack Pkay, commented: “Source”
Another user, Ohene Saforo, wrote: “I can accommodate people in Akuapem: Akropong, Manfe, and Larteh.”
Meanwhile, Evelyn Bulla commented: “I think nature wants to bring back the trash from the sea to the people of Accra.”
The comments reflected a range of reactions to the viral post, including curiosity, concern, and personal opinions. Hence, DUBAWA had to investigate further.
Verification
DUBAWA reviewed the viral graphic and traced its circulation across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Snapchat.
However, checks by DUBAWA found no evidence that Ghanaian authorities issued any tsunami warning for Accra, Tema, or any coastal community.
A genuine tsunami alert would typically be communicated through recognised disaster management agencies, government platforms, national broadcasters, and international tsunami monitoring organisations.
The viral graphic did not provide official alert details, a scientific source, an emergency bulletin reference, or any link to a verified authority responsible for issuing the warning.
Also, checks of official communication channels from relevant Ghanaian authorities, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), and other emergency sources, found no announcement confirming that a tsunami threat had been detected or that Ghana’s coastline was at risk.
Additionally, DUBAWA found no evidence from recognised international tsunami monitoring organisations indicating that a tsunami was approaching Ghana.
The graphic contained several features that raised questions about its authenticity:
- It did not include an official emergency alert detail.
- It did not identify a scientific monitoring centre responsible for detecting the alleged tsunami.
- It provided no link to an official government communication platform.
- It lacked a verifiable date and time of issuance from an authorised institution.
- The “Ghana Tsunami Early Warning System (GTEWS)” cited as the source could not be verified as an official tsunami warning authority.
While Ghana is not completely immune to tsunami events, the country is considered a relatively low-risk area compared with regions such as the Pacific Ring of Fire.
However, a country’s geographical location alone does not make it completely incapable of experiencing tsunami-related events.
Conclusion
The claim that a tsunami has been detected in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to hit Accra and surrounding coastal communities within 1 to 3 hours is FALSE.
