Sunyani, Aug 26, – The deputy co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Mr Kwasi Owusu-Acheaw, today said the establishment of the organization should not frighten any existing governmental organization since it is non-partisan. He said the organization has a clear mandate to manage disaster preparedness and coordinate activities of disaster prevention- and disaster preparedness-oriented agencies. Mr Owusu-Acheaw was speaking at a day’s workshop on disaster management for 30 staff of NADMO and selected National Service personnel at Sunyani today. He said aware of the sensitive nature of the responsibilities placed on the organization, the staff should educate themselves, communities and disaster management-oriented agencies on how to curb or mitigate disasters when they occur. Mr Owusu-Acheaw added that relief items given to victims of disasters should neither be taken as compensation nor payment for losses suffered by victims. He said they should not also be taken as a political tool or privilege to any group but rather an expression of sympathy and assistance by the nation to victims.
