NADMO has the expertise to combat disasters - Portuphy

Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has stated that his outfit has geared up to combat any form of disaster during the rainy season.

He said NADMO has equipped its men to tackle disasters through capacity building at the Asutsuare Military training camp, and that, it was necessary to instil discipline, leadership and organisational skills, as well as providing the officers with the rescue mission regulations.

Mr Portuphy made the remarks at the passing out ceremony of 73 NADMO officers at Asutsuare in the Eastern Region on Friday.

He indicated that the challenges ahead were enormous “hence the need to be combatants in your field of work and demonstrate the discipline and training you have acquired.”

The NADMO boss said the graduation of the officers was timely because they would be engaged in a lot of rescue work from now till November 2013 since 700, 000 Ghanaians had already been displaced.

He said it was estimated that about 2.2 million Ghanaians along river banks were going to be affected by the rains and the country would need about GHC120 million to undertake disaster management this year.

He said officers would be trained to rescue disaster victims and commended the 64 and 48 Regiments, German rescue team, Russia, Swiss, Cuba, the US National Guards, the Republics of Japan and China, for their emergency response over the years.

He also noted that NADMO over the years has collaborated with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), National Security, the Ghana National Fire service and other voluntary groups in fighting disasters.

He said officers who undergo the training would become ambassadors to vulnerable areas in the country and that it was significant to prepare officers both mentally and physically to comply with the rescue mission operations.

Mr Portuphy gave the assurance that NADMO would assist Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies to desilt major water channels to prevent flooding, adding that, his outfit would support the 64 Regiment in every capacity to ensure they are well resourced.

The National Coordinator said the government had approved funds for rescue missions, adding that, National Security had assured them of more training in the coming months.

Lieutenant Owusu, who spoke on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Painstill, Commanding Officer of the Asutsuare Military Training camp said GAF had fully equipped NADMO officers for the tasks ahead through training and confidence building.

He indicated that officers were expected to display the highest standard of discipline and tasked officers to show dedication, commitment and discipline in their work as disaster management experts.

Awards and certificates were presented to participants.

Mr Kwame Kaburise received an award in Physical training, whilst Mr Nunoo Benedict was voted the Best in Academics and Dogbatse Reese for the most Disciplined Trainee.

Officers demonstrated rescue operations in fire outbreaks and flooding.