Upsurge of disasters is worrying - Portuphy

Kumasi, July 30, GNA - Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Coordinator of the Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has expressed worry about the upsurge in disasters in the country, resulting in deaths and destruction of properties.

He said all should join hands with the organization in the implementation of disaster prevention interventions.

Mr Portuphy said this in an address read for him at the inauguration of the Ashanti Regional platform on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Kumasi.

The platform would develop policies to prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters.

It would additionally play advocacy roles and engage the communities and other stakeholders to build their capacity to deal with emergencies.

Mr Portuphy explained that the launch of the regional and district platforms is to bring the country in line with the "Hyogo Framework for Action" that advocates the establishment of platforms at all levels as a strategy for building the resilience of nations and communities in dealing with disasters.

Statistics show that for the past two decades, an average of over 200 million people, are affected every year by disasters worldwide.

Mr Portuphy urged members of the Committee to explore avenues for resource mobilization to assist NADMO to plan its programmes as well as strengthen coordination among the various sectors.

Mr Kofi Poku-Manu, the Ashanti Regional Minister, said the government had made disaster management one of the focal areas of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS).

This is because of the negative impact of disasters on the livelihood of people, infrastructure and the ecosystem.

He said the recent flooding in certain parts of the country, particularly in Agona Swedru, Accra and the three northern regions must be of concern to all and hence the need to adopt pragmatic and effective measures to minimize disasters.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Patrick Timbila, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, is the Chairman of the 20-member committee.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, the Regional Coordinator of NADMO and the Regional Commanders of all the Security Agencies are all members.