NADMO

By William Yaw Owusu

Thursday October 11 2007
A bill that seeks to reposition, empower and make the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) more effective has been placed before Parliament for consideration.

When passed, the bill which is in its final stages of reading will requite all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s to have emergency contingency plans for disaster prevention.

Dr Kwaku Osei-Akom, Deputy NADMO Co-ordinator in charge of Finance and Administration made this known at a press conference to launch the nation-wide programme of activities to mark World Disaster Risk Reduction Day in Accra yesterday.

The celebration has the theme: “Disaster risk Prevent ion begins at school.”

Dr Osei-Akom said for a long time, NADMO had not been able to respond appropriately to disaster prevention because the law governing its operations is too vague.

For instance, he said, the governing council of NADMO had not lived up to its task due to the workload of members on the board in their respective services and organisations, adding “this new bill has a place for a governing council that will solely devote its time for NADMO activities”.

He also said that the bill will give NADMO the power to compel assemblies and other authorities to prosecute recalcitrant developers who build or develop areas marked as disaster zones.

NADMO will also have the power to compel the prosecution of people who abuse the environment.

“NAMDO for a long time has been ineffective because we do not have too much power to act but all these will soon be things of the past.”

Nana Obiri Boahen, Minister of State of the Ministry of the Interior in his keynote address said there were plans to have disaster risks reduction in integrated into the school curricula.

He said “protecting our children from disaster requires standardized and sustained education in our schools. Integrating disaster risk education into national curricula and building safe school facilities are two factors that can protect resources for development.”

He urged the people to participate fully in the activities and programmes upon by NADMO to prevent disaster.

Dr Stephen Duah-Yentumi, Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who read the Secretary-General’s message said “disaster risk reduction is about stronger building codes, sound land use planning better early warning systems, environmental management and evacuation plans as well as education.”

He commended the government agencies and development partners for helping to bring hope to the flood disaster victims in the north and other parts of the country and promised UNDP’s contained support towards the development of Ghana.

Mr Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, acting NADMO Co-ordinator said it will take the commitment and resolve all stakeholders to rebuild parts of the country devastated by the recent floods.

Mrs Oboshie-Sai-Coffie, Minister of Information and National Orientation who moderated the programme called for a sustained public education to alert people on the dangers of living in areas marked as disaster zones.