The Bono Regional Office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has called for a decisive shift from reactive disaster response to proactive investment in resilience as Ghana joins the world to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).
At a stakeholder engagement held in Sunyani, the Regional Director of NADMO, Fati Kine-Lam, urged both government and private sector actors to fund preventive measures rather than spending heavily on post-disaster relief efforts.
“We must begin to fund resilience, not disaster,” Kine-Lam stressed, referencing this year’s global theme for the IDDRR.
“As a nation, we should prioritise investments in modern drainage systems, tree planting, proper waste management, and urban planning. These are far more sustainable than the continuous provision of relief items after every flood or storm.”
The meeting brought together representatives from the security services, departments, agencies, and development partners to deliberate on practical strategies to avert recurring disasters and flooding as the rainy season begins.
Kine-Lam cautioned Ghanaians, especially estate developers, against building on waterways and flood-prone areas—a practice she described as a major contributor to flooding in urban centres.
“Let us respect our environment and the natural flow of water,” she said. “NADMO is a disaster management organisation, not a relief body. Our focus must be on prevention and preparedness.”
The IDDRR, first commemorated in 1989 following a United Nations General Assembly declaration, is observed every October 13 to promote global awareness of disaster risks and the need for mitigation. This year’s theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disaster,” reflects growing global concern over the escalating cost of disasters, which the 2025 Global Assessment Report estimates at $202 billion annually.
The Chairman of the event, Joseph Asako Azumyarn, who heads the Applied Sciences Department at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), underscored the need for strong institutional collaboration and scientific innovation to build disaster-resilient communities.
“Government must invest in strong drainage infrastructure, enforce building codes, and strengthen early warning systems,” Azumyarn noted.
“Research institutions like the Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC) must be supported to provide data-driven solutions, while Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) should be empowered to take local action.”
The commemoration served as a reminder that the fight against disasters requires collective effort—one that values foresight, environmental discipline, and sustainable investment over reactive aid.
Report by Daniel Donkor for Asaase News in the Bono Region
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