By Bertha Badu-Agyei
Accra, Sept 4, GNA– The Government of Ghana, led by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) with support from the United Nations, has begun the process of establishing a suitable framework for effective management of climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Ghana.
This follows Findings and recommendations from a national and local capacity assessment conducted in 2022, to evaluate the country’s risk management capabilities.
The report emphasized the need for robust preparedness and response plans in key areas like agriculture, energy, social protection, environment, water and sanitation and called for actions to address the uneven distribution of climate impact and ensure that no one was left behind.
At a meeting to disseminate the report, Mr Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, Director General of NADMO, said the findings would inform the development of the National DRR Strategy, which was a key requirement for the member states of the United Nations.
“Especially those who commit to the implementation of the provisions in the Sendai Framework of Action, 2015-2030″.
He also asked stakeholders, especially the UN system, to help NADMO coordinate the recommendation’s implementation.
Mr Charles Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized the importance of Ghana’s vision of self-resilience, noting that the UN’s support was rooted in prevention principles.
He called for collaborative efforts to integrate the findings into existing policies, programmes, and projects to strengthen DRR and climate adaptation in Ghana and stressed the need for the government’s investment in the Pwalugu multipurpose dam to control flooding and support livelihoods.
The assessment in 2022 was under the leadership of NADMO, in close collaboration with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Accra, with the support of the UN system in Ghana and the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI)
The report is a significant milestone in the shared journey between the UN and the Government towards strengthening Disaster Risk Management (DRM), DRR, and Climate Change Adaptation capacities in Ghana.
The findings and recommendations stemmed from extensive consultations with 23 Central Institutions, 52 Local Institutions/departments, two Civil Society Organizations, a Private Sector Organization, three Multi and Bilateral Partners, and a university, as well as engagements at regional, district and community levels.
Following this report, the next step for the Government would be to develop an implementation plan, prepare a capacity development plan, and ensure the dissemination of the results and recommendations.
GNA