Accra, (Greater Accra Region) 1 Oct.,
The government is gradually building the capacity to prepare and manage disasters when they occur, Nii Okaija Adamafio, Minister of Interior said today. Inaugurating seven national technical sub-committees in Accra, Nii Okaija noted that for a very long time disasters were regarded as acts of God over which humans had no rpt no control. ” Happily , this view has given way to the recognition that modern scientific and technical advances can and should help to prevent and control their occurrence “. The minister said the government is gradually building the structures which will put an end to the phenomena where disaster preparedness and planning appear to become a priority ” in our part of the world only after the disaster has already occurred”. The technical sub-committees will, among other things, advise central government on disaster management , identify and map out all hazards and prepare emergency response . The occasion was also used to launch a week-long activities to mark the International Decade For Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) and the World Disaster Day which falls on October eight. The day will be the first time that Ghana will join other nations to commemorate. It is under the global theme ” Water :Too Much , Too Little, Leading Cause of Natural Disasters”, with the national sub -theme as ” Disaster Preparedness For a Safer World. Nii Okaija who is also the chairman of the national disaster management committee, said between 1980 and 1990, drought affected more than 134 million people on the African continent with floods affecting seven million. Windstorms affected over three and half million persons besides earthquakes , landslides volcanoes and others taking their toll. He told members of the committee that the government will rely heavily on them in efforts at capacity building at the national and local level. The Minister touched on the havocs wrought by water in connection with the theme of the world disaster day and noted its effect on electricity supply, weather and the spread of diseases. ” It is my fervent hope that as we undertake to raise public awareness through various activities like seminars, exhibitions, tree planting among others, it is envisaged that during the celebration of the occasion we shall together be fighting to make the world a safer place”. He expressed the government’s appreciation to various organisations and countries for their assistance in bringing help to victims of disasters in the past. The UNDP Resident Representative , Mr Abdoulie Janneh, said the global death toll from natural disasters has risen almost tenfold since the 1960s , with developing countries accounting for 90 per cent. He said to raise the awareness of the need for prevention and preparedness , the General Assembly has declared the period between 1990 -2000 as the international decade for natural disasters. Professor Francis Nkrumah, chairman for the Epidemic Disaster sub- committee said the committees are made up of a broad sectoral representation of expertise at all levels. Among some of their objectives will be to provide training facilities and update plans on disaster management . Prof. Nkrumah said their work will depend to a large extent on the response of the civil society in their efforts at managing disasters. Earlier, in a welcoming address, Mr Kofi Portuphy , National coordinator of NADMO, said the reports that have been presented to the minister will serve as a basis to prepare the desired national disaster management plan. The seven sub – committees are the geological disaster, pest and insects infestation, relief and construction , hydrometeorological , bushfires and lightning , epidemics, and man-made disaster committees. As part of the world disaster day celebration , a two-day photo exhibition on disasters was opened by the minister of health.
