Accra:Mr. Ernest Brogya Gyamfi, the Presidential Advisor on National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, has urged Ghanaians to prioritize prevention and resilience over reactionary responses to disasters. He emphasized the need for a shift towards preparedness and long-term resilience to address frequent threats such as floods and market fires.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Gyamfi made these remarks at a symposium in Accra, marking the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. He highlighted recent incidents like significant flooding, the Kumasi Central Market fires, and the Appiatse explosion as reminders of the country's vulnerability to disasters, which threaten national development and economic stability.
The Presidential Advisor announced that the President has tasked his office with assessing Ghana's emergency preparedness to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. This plan aims to enhance prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience across various sectors.
Mr. Gyamfi identified eight priority areas for strengthening disaster resilience, including household preparedness, community early warning systems, urban flood risk management, and market safety. He stressed the importance of equipping families with emergency plans and ensuring early warning information reaches communities in accessible formats.
He also called for improvements in drainage infrastructure, enforcement of land-use regulations, and better market safety measures. The integration of climate adaptation into infrastructure planning and ensuring vulnerable groups' needs are met during emergencies were highlighted as essential steps.
Furthermore, Mr. Gyamfi advocated for incorporating disaster risk reduction into educational and workplace policies and strengthening community resilience through collaboration among public institutions, communities, and the private sector.
Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior, supported these initiatives, underscoring the importance of a proactive and coordinated approach to protect lives and property in Ghana.