The Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the United Nations (UN), has initiated the establishment of a comprehensive framework for effective climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR).
This move comes as part of efforts to bolster the country’s resilience against climate change and natural disasters.
A report detailing the findings and recommendations from a national and local capacity assessment conducted in 2022 was presented in Accra on August 13, 2024.
The assessment aimed to evaluate Ghana’s existing risk management capabilities and identify areas for improvement.
The report underscores the necessity for robust preparedness and response plans across several critical sectors, including agriculture, energy, social protection, environment, water, and sanitation.
It highlights the need for integrating lessons learned to address the uneven impact of climate change on different communities, ensuring that no group is disproportionately affected.
Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, the Director-General of NADMO, emphasized that the findings will guide the development of Ghana’s national DRR strategy.
He noted that this is a crucial step for Ghana as a member state committed to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
Prempeh called on stakeholders, particularly the United Nations, to assist in coordinating the implementation of the recommendations.
Chalse Abani, the UN Resident Coordinator, stressed the importance of Ghana’s vision for self-resilience.
He indicated that UN support is grounded in prevention principles and urged collaborative efforts to incorporate the findings into existing policies, programs, and projects to enhance Ghana’s DRR and climate adaptation efforts.
Abani also reiterated the importance of government investment in the Pwalugu multipurpose dam project, which aims to control flooding and support local livelihoods.
The assessment involved extensive consultations with 23 central institutions, 52 local departments, two civil society organizations, one private sector entity, three multi- and bilateral partners, and a university.
The following steps involve developing an implementation plan, preparing a capacity development plan, disseminating results and recommendations at regional and district levels, and aligning the DRR strategy and action plan with international development frameworks.
