WR spends over GHC1 million on disaster management

Shama, June 29, GNA - The Western regional branch of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), spent over GHC 1 million on disaster management alone in 2010.

The NADMO provided relief items such as polymers, mattresses and food items, among others, to disaster victims in the Western Region. Mr Japheth Baidoo, Regional Coordinator for NADMO, said this at the inauguration of the Campus Disaster Management Organisation (CADMO) for the Shama Senior High School in the Western Region.

He said the amount covered 21,700 people, who were badly affected by floods, as a result of the torrential rains.

The CADMO, first of its kind in the region, is to be replicated in other schools, with the aim of inculcating effective and rapid response in disaster management, as well as tips, to enable the students to help and render services to their communities.

Mr Baidoo noted that, if the citizenry were educated on safety tips, particularly in the prevention of both man-made and natural disasters, the country can save money for other developmental projects.

He said 93mainstreaming disaster management activities in our daily affairs could save us from lots of avoidable domestic and industrial disasters".

Mr Paul Awotwi, Shama District NADMO Coordinator said the formation of CADMO was a major landmark in the activities of the organisation in promoting disaster management education in the schools and communities.

He noted that the reoccurrence of disasters in communities such as lower Inchaban, Kumasi, Abuesi and Konfeku, within the district, made the formation of the club imperative to serve as early warning elements.

Mr Awotwi said clubs play a vital role in disaster risk reduction, since they served as the early warning element, channels of community awareness creation and as first responders to disasters in their respective communities and schools.

Mr Enoch Kojo Appiah, District Chief Executive of Shama lauded the initiators of the programme and pledged the assembly's support.

He urged the over 165 student membership to be humble and learn the rudiments of disaster management to enable them to be worthy ambassadors in their communities.