AAIG to initiate disaster risk reduction in schools

Bolgatanga, June 29, GNA - Action Aid International Ghana (AAIG), in collaboration with Community Development Initiative (CODI), would soon embark on a disaster reduction programme in schools in the Upper East Region.

The National Coordinator of the Disaster Risk Reduction Project (DRRP), Mr. Samuel Abasiba, said this at a two-day regional consultative workshop organized by AAIG and CODI. He mentioned some of the disasters, which often occur in the area as rainstorms, flooding, crop pests and the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

He said the project would enable AAIG to work with communities and other relevant stakeholders to promote the prevention and reduction of disasters.

The beneficiaries include Bawku West and Bawku East, Garu-Tempane and the Builsa districts. Mr Abasiba said 20 schools would be selected for the project, 5 schools, from each of the four beneficiary Districts.

The Programme Manager of AAIG, Ms Christiana Amarchey, said the Upper East Region had suffered a number of disaster related cases such as droughts in 1991 to 2004 which resulted in poor crop yields and the outbreak of CSM in the region in 1997 which also claimed 392 lives in Bawku.

"Undoubtedly, these disasters have dire negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of our people." The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila, commended AAIG and CODI for initiating such a laudable project and called for its quick implementation.

He said the government alone could not tackle the issue of disasters and called for a multi-sector approach with all stakeholders to deal with the situation. Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, National Disaster Management Organization, CODI, district assemblies, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Education Service and the media. 29 June 06