Keta: The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region has organised a comprehensive educational engagement with Senior High School (SHS) heads, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and fuel station managers. The engagement focused on critical areas of disaster risk reduction, including fire safety standards, medical emergency rescue preparedness, flood prevention, and the importance of constructing fire hydrants.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Wonder Setsoafia Deynu, the NADMO Director at Keta, mentioned that participants expressed satisfaction with the engagement, highlighting a strong commitment to implementing disaster safety measures within their institutions. The interactive nature of the session encouraged shared responsibility and collective action among communities toward safeguarding lives and property.
Mr. Deynu explained that key agreements reached during the engagement include installing fire hydrants at all SHSs and fuel stations, providing first aid boxes, de-silting gutters, and continuous public education within the communities. Stakeholders have pledged to form Disaster Volunteer Groups in various schools, churches, and all electoral areas in the municipality.
Mr. Deynu appreciated the technical education and professional support from resource persons, including the Keta Municipal Fire Commander and the Keta National Ambulance Service Commander. The engagement reaffirmed the shared belief that disaster prevention is a collective responsibility, and working together would enable communities to significantly reduce disaster risks.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has outlined specific measures for installing fire hydrants at all SHSs and fuel stations, which include collaborating with stakeholders, such as the Ghana Water Company. Disaster Volunteer Groups (DVGs) would be trained and equipped to respond to emergencies, focusing on basic emergency response skills, including firefighting and water rescue.
To assess the effectiveness of the engagement, NADMO plans to establish a monitoring and evaluation framework involving regular reporting, site visits, and feedback mechanisms. Mr. Lawrence Woedi, the Municipal Fire Commander; Mr. Selasi Sepenu, the Ambulance Service Commander; and Mr. Fedelis Doh, Manager of Ghana Water Company Limited at Anloga and Keta, supported the workshop as part of a broader strategy to strengthen disaster risk reduction and management in the area. They pledged to support NADMO's initiatives and encouraged communities to stay vigilant and report any disaster risks to relevant authorities.