By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – Mr Ernest Brogya Gyamfi, the Presidential Advisor on National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, has called on Ghanaians to recommit themselves to building a nation where prevention takes precedence over response, preparedness replaces panic, and resilience becomes a defining characteristic of the citizens.
He said Ghana must move beyond reacting to disasters and invest more in preventive measures and long-term resilience, to address recurring threats, including floods, market fires and other emergencies.
The Presidential Advisor was speaking at a high level symposium, commemorating the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) in Accra, on the theme, “Resilience Starts at Home.”
He cited recent high-intensity rainfall that submerged major road networks, flooding in Hohoe in the Volta Region, fires at the Kumasi Central Market and the North Industrial Area in Accra, as well as the June 3, 2015 disaster, the 2022 Appiatse explosion and recurring fires at Kantamanto, Makola and Kejetia markets.
He said the incidents demonstrated that disasters were recurring threats to national development, economic stability and social wellbeing, requiring a coordinated and preventive approach.
Mr Gyamfi said the President had directed his office to undertake an immediate assessment of Ghana’s national resilience and emergency preparedness architecture to inform the development of a comprehensive national strategic plan.
He said the plan would be supported by a practical implementation framework to strengthen prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and long-term resilience across all sectors.
“My office will commence institutional consultations and stakeholder engagements in November to help develop a nationally owned framework to improve coordination, strengthen risk governance and build resilient communities capable of withstanding current and emerging threats,” he added.
Mr Gyamfi outlined eight priority areas for strengthening disaster resilience: household and family preparedness, community-based early warning systems, urban flood risk management, fire prevention and market safety.
The rest are climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure, inclusive protection for vulnerable groups, household-level disaster risk financing, and behavioural change through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
On household preparedness, he said families must be equipped with practical knowledge and preparedness tools, including household emergency plans, evacuation procedures, emergency contact systems, and simple safety measures, such as switching off electrical appliances and gas regulators when not in use.
He also called for early warning information to reach every community in accessible formats and local languages, accompanied by clear guidance on the actions people should take during emergencies.
Mr Gyamfi emphasised the need to improve drainage infrastructure, regularly desilt waterways, enforce land-use and building regulations, and invest in prevention rather than rely on interventions after disasters occur.
He said market safety could be improved through regular electrical inspections, safer market layouts, improved firefighting infrastructure, public education and strict compliance with safety standards.
Mr Gyamfi called for climate adaptation to be integrated into infrastructure planning, agriculture, housing and local governance, while ensuring that emergency shelters, evacuation procedures and recovery programmes addressed the needs of children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
“Affordable insurance schemes, community savings mechanisms and other financial protection measures can help households recover from disasters without falling into poverty,” he stressed.
He urged stakeholders to integrate disaster risk reduction into school curricula, civic education programmes, workplace policies and routine community drills.
Mr Gyamfi said resilience required a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, anchored in collaboration and shared responsibility among public institutions, communities and the private sector.
Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, said the Ministry recognised that protecting lives and property required a proactive and coordinated approach, and that all must work together to identify risks, strengthen preparedness, and ensure that disaster risk reduction remains a priority in our national development efforts.
He added that every household must embrace safety and preparedness, every institution must fulfil its responsibilities, and every community must be empowered to understand and manage the risks it faces.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo