The Wassa East District Assembly has taken a significant step towards bolstering its emergency preparedness with the official inauguration of its reconstituted District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC).
The ceremony, held in Daboase on Wednesday, underscores the district’s renewed commitment to safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the environment through a proactive and coordinated approach to disaster management.
The committee’s formation is a direct implementation of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Act, 2016 (Act 927), which mandates the establishment of such committees at all administrative levels to ensure a cohesive national response framework.
A Call for Proactive, Inclusive Action
Mr. Daniel Mawuli Agbesi, the Deputy Regional NADMO Director in charge of Technical and Disaster Risk Reduction, was the guest of honour at the event. In his keynote address, he hailed the inauguration as a critical move towards redefining disaster management in the district.
“This committee exists to localize that mission, taking it beyond policy documents into practical impact across the district,” Agbesi stated. He emphasized the necessity of collaboration, adding, “No single agency can manage disasters alone.”
He urged the committee members to embody NADMO’s core mission of building a disaster resilient Ghana by efficiently coordinating resources, promoting risk reduction, and enhancing community based response systems. He further charged them to ensure their work “reflects equity, transparency, and accountability,” particularly reaching the most vulnerable populations, including the aged, children, persons with disabilities, and all community settlements.
Broad Mandate for a Resilient Future
The newly inaugurated committee carries a broad and vital mandate, which includes:
· Developing comprehensive district-level disaster preparedness and response plans.
· Coordinating with regional, national bodies, and partner organizations.
· Conducting thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerable communities.
· Mobilizing and distributing critical relief resources during emergencies.
· Leading public education campaigns to build community resilience.
Leadership Pledges Full Support
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wassa East, Hon. Alhassan Ibrahim, delivered a firm charge to the committee, reminding them that their role is functional, not ceremonial.
“You have been carefully selected by law based on your expertise, leadership, and influence,” the DCE stated. He pledged the Assembly’s full logistical and administrative support to ensure the committee’s smooth operation and success in its disaster prevention mandate.
The Wassa East District Director of NADMO, Ms. Elizabeth Princess Konotey, expressed profound gratitude to the DCE and the Coordinating Director for their leadership. She pledged NADMO’s full technical and human resource support to the committee’s work.
Ms. Konotey also extended appreciation to key institutional partners on the committee, including the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the Ghana Immigration Service, acknowledging their critical roles in disaster response. She concluded by praising her NADMO staff for their tireless commitment and acknowledging the media and the public for their ongoing support in disaster prevention efforts.
