By Edward Dankwah
Accra, April 9, GNA – Mr. Lambert Donkor, a seasoned disaster management communications expert, has called for urgent reforms at the Natural Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to address inefficiencies within the Organisation.
He said concerns such as weak administrative structures, lack of transparency in staff promotions, and instances of workplace discrimination based on political and ethnic affiliations needed to be addressed.
Mr. Donkor proposed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor conduct an independent review of NADMO’s operations to ensure accountability.
“If we are serious about strengthening NADMO, we must tackle these systemic challenges head-on,” he added.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Donkor who has also served as NADMO’s Media Relations Officer for nearly a decade, said he witnessed firsthand how political considerations had often overshadowed merits in leadership appointments.
He said with every change in government, key NADMO positions, from district to national levels were handed to political allies, some lacking the requisite expertise in disaster management, adding that these practices have weakened NADMO’s effectiveness.
“If we want NADMO to truly serve Ghanaians, we must prioritise competence over political affiliation,” he stressed.
Mr. Donkor said NADMO’s long-standing operational inefficiencies had hindered its ability to respond effectively to disasters, and that while political considerations may play a role in appointments, individuals in leadership must possess the necessary expertise.
He said NADMO required leaders who understood disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and crisis management, only then can the organisation function optimally.
Mr. Donkor commended President John Mahama for appointing Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon as the new Director-General of NADMO.
This decision, he believed aligned with the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) “Reset Agenda” and marked a crucial step toward making NADMO a more professional and efficient institution.
He expressed confidence in Dr. Kuyon’s ability to lead NADMO, highlighting his distinguished military career and expertise in crisis response, leadership, and national security.
Mr. Donkor said beyond his service in the Ghana Armed Forces, his experience with the United Nations and leadership roles in the private sector further strengthened his credentials for the position.
He said for years, NADMO had suffered from appointments that prioritised politics over competence but Major Kuyon’s appointment signaled a shift towards professionalism and strategic leadership.
While congratulating Dr. Kuyon, he urged him to remain objective and foster an inclusive work environment that valued expertise over political allegiance.
He cautioned against political victimisation, drawing from his own experiences under the previous NADMO administration.
“I know what it feels like to be sidelined for simply executing my duties professionally. I urge the new leadership to resist political interference and focus on NADMO’s core mission, protecting lives and property,” he stated.
Mr. Donkor urged President Mahama to provide sustained support to his appointee, emphasising that NADMO, with the right leadership and resources, had the potential to evolve into a world-class disaster management agency.
He said NADMO’s effectiveness depended on collaborative efforts involving the government, private sector, NGOs, and civil society.
He called for greater investment in early warning systems, infrastructure resilience, and emergency response mechanisms to strengthen national preparedness.
“Disasters are not political. Our response mechanisms must be robust enough to save lives, irrespective of who is in office,” he stressed.
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