Inadequate resources hampering disaster prevention

National technical committees and regional reports of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) have identified inadequate resources as a hindrance to effective disaster prevention in Ghana.

This was highlighted at the End-of-Year National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Risk Management meeting in Accra.

All the reports of the 10 national technical committees and the 10 regional directors stressed the need for their activities to be well resourced to enable them to conduct research and come out with practicable solutions to achieve their mandate.

They also urged the management of NADMO to strengthen its advocacy and alternative livelihood training to discourage people from pollution and depleting the forest zones.

Mr Mark Woyongo, Minister of the Interior, in a speech read for him, said the Ministry appreciated the challenges that NADMO faced and assured it of the Ministry’s commitment to provide the necessary support to enhance its operations.

He said there could be no sustainable growth and development of the economy if adequate measures were not taken to mitigate the effects of disasters or prevent their occurrence.

Mr Woyongo said the law establishing NADMO is being reviewed to enhance the legal framework for disaster management and the capacity of the institution to effectively deliver its responsibilities.

“The Bill seeks to provide for dedicated and adequate resources through the establishment of the National Disaster Fund, to among other things, ensure that multi-sectoral platforms such as this one functions more effectively,” he said.

Mr Woyongo stressed the need to make a sturdy progress in the quest to shift from a crisis management approach to one of proactive risk reduction and safety.

He commended foreign missions and development partners as well as organisations in disaster management for their contributions.

Ms Ruby Sandhu-Rojon, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director, said UNDP’s support had been geared towards shifting the national approach from disaster response to disaster risk reduction and mainstreaming it into national development policies and programmes.

That, she said, included the development of the Plan of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, the revision of the National Building Code, the preparation of district disaster management plans, training of disaster volunteer groups and a number of awareness creation activities.

Ms Sandhu-Rojon said UNDP was partnering the NADMO on Community Resilience through Early Warning project for the establishment of a scientifically rigorous flood and drought Early Warning System.

“Additionally, UNDP is supporting the finalization and adoption of the new NADMO Bill, which will allow NADMO, or the new National Disaster Management Service, to become even more active on disaster risk reduction,” she added.

Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Co-ordinator of NADMO, commended the various technical committees and the entire staff for their commitment and dedication throughout the year in spite of the constraints.