Lambert Donkor calls for professionalism and reform at NADMO

Lambert Donkor, an advocate for social change and disaster management communications professional, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for appointing the newly sworn-in Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).

The appointment, Donkor believes, marks a crucial step in promoting the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Reset Agendain disaster management, which is vital to national security and sustainable development.

A Leader with the Right Credentials

He noted that, the newly appointed NADMO Director-General Major Rtd Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon who took over office from Hon. Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), comes with a rich background in military service, which has sharpened his expertise in crisis management, strategic leadership, and national security.

His years of experience in the Ghana Armed Forces, coupled with an impressive academic background with a PhD in Finance Management, from the Dongbei University in Dalian, China, MBA and BSC in Administration from University of Ghana, security studies, as well as his role as Chief Executive Officer of Leo Dynasty Group amids other Positions held with the United Nations while serving on Peace keeping missions, place him in a prime position to revamp NADMO.

His appointment is a significant departure from the past, where political considerations often overshadowed competence in the selection of key personnel within the organization.

The Partisan Legacy of NADMO and the Need for Reform

Lambert Donkor, who served as a Media Relations Officer at NADMO for nearly a decade, highlighted that the organization has long been perceived as a highly partisan institution, often offering what many describe as a "job for the boys" some with little or no professional experience.

He explained that with every change in government, the ruling party replaces all district, regional, and even some national directors, including the Director-General and Deputy Directors.

However, to successfully implement the RESET AGENDA, Donkor emphasized that priority must be given to individuals with technical knowledge in disaster management, operational expertise, and managerial efficiency.

Drawing from his experience, he lamented that many NADMO district directors over the years lacked the ability to articulate issues in the media or prepare detailed reports to support national-level communication.

"It was often disappointing when there was an incident, and district directors couldn't speak to the issues or draft simple reports to aid national communication. This was largely because party loyalists, who were square pegs in round holes, had been placed in technical positions," Donkor stated.

Managerial Inefficiencies and the Need for a New Direction

While congratulating the newly appointed Director-General and his team, he reminded them that though their appointments are political, they must remain objective to work with all great minds without political victimization in executing NADMO’s mission, an act he personally suffered from under the immediate past management. He urged them to resist political pressures that could compromise the agency’s mandate.

A Call for Accountability and Administrative Reforms

As part of an effective Reset Agenda, Donkor urged the new NADMO boss to take bold and necessary decisions to address the many managerial inefficiencies, broken administrative structures, Puntuality, poorly aligned staff promotions, transparency in staff benefits, workplace discrimination based on ethnicity and political affiliation.

He went further to recommend that the Director-General invite the Office of the Special Prosecutor to investigate NADMO’s current state. This, he said, may uncover mismanagement, ensure accountability, and set a new standard for transparency and efficiency within the organization.

Appeal to President Mahama for Support

Lambert Donkor also appealed to President Mahama to support his appointee in objectively positioning NADMO as a beacon of hope in disaster management, not only in Ghana but across the continent. He stressed that with the right leadership, NADMO can transform into a world-class institution capable of disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and effective response strategies.

NADMO’s Mandate and the Role of Stakeholders

Lambert Donkor’s commendation of President Mahama's appointment of the new NADMO Director-General reflects a broader call for competence, professionalism, and accountability in disaster management.

With the right leadership and support, NADMO can finally break free from its partisan past and emerge as a robust institution driving national security and sustainable development through effective disaster management.