Africa must move beyond disaster response to prevention – Brogya Genfi

Presidential Adviser on National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has called on African leaders to move beyond responding to disasters after they occur and invest more deliberately in prevention, early warning systems and preparedness mechanisms to protect lives and livelihoods across the continent.

He made the call while representing President John Dramani Mahama at the ongoing 4th Biennale on Water Security, Governance and Resilience in Africa in Luanda, Angola, where he addressed participants during the opening session.

Brogya Genfi stressed that effective disaster management must place greater emphasis on anticipating risks, monitoring potential threats and preparing communities before emergencies occur, rather than relying primarily on interventions after disasters have struck.

According to him, timely and reliable information is critical to reducing the human and economic costs of floods, droughts and other climate-related emergencies.

“African leaders must move beyond responding to water-related disasters and invest deliberately in early warning systems, risk monitoring, and preparedness mechanisms,” he said.

He noted that investments in early warning and preparedness systems would enable governments and communities to identify threats earlier, take preventive action and minimise the destruction often associated with water-related disasters.

His remarks highlight the importance of strengthening Africa’s capacity to anticipate and manage emergencies at a time when climate-related shocks continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and economic activities across the continent.

Beyond early warning systems, Brogya Genfi emphasised the importance of inclusive water governance, calling for the meaningful participation of women and young people in decisions concerning water management and climate resilience.

He observed that sustainable responses to water-related challenges require the contributions and leadership of those most affected, particularly women and young people, whose experiences and ideas can help shape more effective and inclusive solutions.

“Sustainable water management and climate resilience require the voices, innovation, and leadership of those most affected by these challenges,” he stated.

The Biennale brings together stakeholders to deliberate on water security, governance and resilience in Africa, including the role of effective water management in addressing shared challenges and supporting sustainable development.