Simulation exercise on disaster begins

Kumasi, Aug. 15, GNA - Some military personnel from the United Kingdom (UK), in collaboration with personnel from the Ashanti Regional branch of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), have begun a three-week simulation exercise to build the capacity of the latter to deal effectively with disaster situations in the region.

The 25-man group which comprises personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air force are expected to train personnel of NADMO to handle cases involving flooding, fire, and communicable diseases outbreaks.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi on Thursday, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wilkinson, leader of the group, said his team had conducted some simulation exercise in about 20 villages across the region.

He said his outfit would compile a stakeholder data base of its findings, identify potential vulnerable issues to be presented to the Ghanaian authorities for use should any of these situations arise in future.

"The exercise has provided a fantastic opportunity to work with NADMO in the region and to gain training experience working together for our mutual benefit," he said.

LT. Col. Wilkinson said while the aim of the exercise was not to resolve anticipated disaster outbreaks, it had provided valuable training for his men in a challenging environment and commended leaders of the villages they had visited so far for their cooperation.