Stakeholders agree to manage disasters

Fiapre (B/A), April 18, GNA - Disaster management organizations and stakeholders in the Brong-Ahafo Region have agreed in a resolution to collaborate and embark on environmental mapping to locate sites prone to disaster in the region.

The stakeholders came to the agreement at the end of a three-day workshop on disaster management in Sunyani to review emergency management principles and standards in relation to disaster.

The National Disaster Management Organisation and North Dakota National Guard, a United States foundation, jointly organized the workshop. It was attended by some officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service, National Commission for Civic Education, Information Services Department, Red Cross Society and other security agencies.

The participants expressed concern about the upsurge of the erection of structures at unauthorized places more especially for the sale of liquefied petroleum gas, which posed a threat to the lives of the people. Mr. Kwesi Annan Frimpong, Acting Regional Coordinator of NADMO, said the use of inferior building materials and public disregard of advice from stakeholders had been the major cause of disaster such as fire outbreaks, floods and rainstorm in the region.

Mr. Frimpong lauded the efforts of officials of Ghana National Fire Service in helping to prevent domestic fires through house-to-house campaign to educate the public on the use of gas cylinders and electrical appliances. Mr. Frimpong appealed to the government to redefine and enforce the building inspection law to help curb the spate of preventable disasters. He gave the assurance that his outfit would join hands with officials of the Ghana Fire Service to complement government efforts in minimizing man-made disasters.

Mr. Doug Friez, a facilitator from the United States foundation, advised stakeholders in disaster to seek credible and accurate information on disaster management to feed the media to educate the public on proper environmental management.

He said the government alone could not curtail preventable disasters and appealed to the public to contribute.

Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area who presided, said disaster management was a collective responsibility. "When traditional rulers, who are seen as the embodiment of the people are brought on board, they can help in creating more awareness on issues of natural and artificial disasters in their respective localities", the Omanhene added.

Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II appealed to metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to provide logistics and equipment to support NADMO towards an effective disaster management. "The government should either make it mandatory for assemblies to release a percentage of its common fund to NADMO towards disaster management or establish disaster management fund where individuals and corporate bodies can contribute to the fund for disaster management in the country", the Paramount Chief suggested.