By Ruth Serwaa Asare
As part of efforts towards strengthening Ghana’s disaster preparedness and response, the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, under the National Disaster Management Organisation Act, 2016 (Act 927), has inaugurated the National Disaster Management Committee, which is tasked with coordinating disaster management activities across the country.
The Committee, which was inaugurated at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Accra will provide strategic policy direction, harmonize institutional efforts, and enhance resilience against hazards such as floods, epidemics, fires, seismic risks, and conflicts. The Committee’s mandate includes ensuring adequate facilities for relief, rehabilitation, and recovery, securing financial and logistical support from public and private sectors, and performing other critical functions to strengthen disaster management.
In his address, the Minister stressed the importance of investing in preparedness and resilience, which is far less costly than recovery efforts, advocating for a participatory, human-centred approach that ensures no community is left behind.
Hon. Muntaka highlighted the Akosombo Dam spillage in October 2023, which displaced tens of thousands of people and exposed gaps in preparedness, coordination, and resourcing. To address these challenges, he called on the Committee to strengthen multi-stakeholder coordination frameworks, enhance early warning systems, and develop dedicated contingency funding mechanisms.
The Minister assured the Committee of Government’s unwavering support and readiness to empower and resource NADMO to deliver on its mandate.
Source: Ministry of interior
