The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has given relief supplies to 65 people affected by the fire at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi.
The distribution took place on Tuesday, October 13, during activities to mark the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The fire occurred on June 21.
The support, secured through the intervention of the Essikado Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, included 200 bags of rice, 100 bags of maize, 200 mattresses, buckets, basins, detergents, liquid soap, plates and cups.
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Director of NADMO, Alhaji Abubakar Kamal Deen, said the items were intended to help the victims cope with the consequences of the outbreak.
He said Dr Ayensu-Danquah had visited the scene with NADMO officials after the fire, reviewed the damage and met the affected people before promising to obtain relief assistance for them.
Mr Kamal Deen said the intervention was aimed at easing the hardship experienced by the victims, while the commemoration also provided an opportunity to promote public awareness of disaster prevention.
He warned traders and others operating at the fishing harbour to take particular care when selling and handling premix fuel. He also called on the relevant authorities to enforce safer practices at the busy commercial site.
“Resilience Starts at Home” was the theme of this year’s commemoration, highlighting the role of household preparedness and community involvement in reducing disaster risks.
Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive Frederick Faidoo said disaster prevention required a stronger commitment from residents and should not be regarded as the responsibility of NADMO and the Metropolitan Assembly alone.
He urged people to dispose of waste properly, keep drains free of obstructions, follow fire safety procedures and avoid unauthorised construction along waterways and in areas vulnerable to flooding.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson said NADMO had recorded 207 disaster incidents in the Western Region during 2025, affecting more than 4,347 people.
He listed flooding, fires, coastal erosion and road traffic accidents among the main risks facing the region. Some of those incidents, he said, had been aggravated by indiscriminate waste disposal, encroachment on waterways and unsafe development.
Mr Nelson urged metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to improve enforcement of building and physical planning regulations, upgrade drainage and sanitation systems, and expand public education on disaster preparedness.
He also called on households to adopt basic safety measures, make emergency plans and follow official warnings. He said particular consideration should be given to children, older people and persons with disabilities during emergencies.
The minister said disaster management needed to move away from a mainly reactive model, with greater investment in prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed every year on October 13 to encourage action to reduce disaster risks and develop safer, more resilient communities.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
