The Acting District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Bongo District, Patrick Anamoo Akuntubgo, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to shifting its approach from merely responding to disasters to preventing and reducing the risks that cause them.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on the theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” Mr. Akuntubgo emphasized the importance of proactive disaster management and community involvement. He noted that while disasters often strike without warning, they are predictable and can be mitigated through proper planning and investment.
“Disasters do not wait. They strike with speed and at a devastating cost. But the good news is that disasters, though sudden, are always predictable,” he said. “With proper planning, community involvement, and the right investment in early warning systems, education, and infrastructure, we can significantly reduce the risks.”
Highlighting NADMO’s renewed commitment, Mr. Akuntubgo outlined key strategies aimed at strengthening disaster prevention efforts in the Bongo District. These include enhancing community education and awareness campaigns through zonal directors, training Disaster Volunteer Groups, collaborating with local authorities and youth associations, establishing school-based disaster clubs, and partnering with development agencies to channel resources directly to vulnerable communities.
He stressed, however, that NADMO cannot achieve these goals alone. “We need the support of every stakeholder here — from our assembly to civil society, from the media to the private sector. Disaster risk reduction is not a cost; it is an investment,” he stated.
Issuing a call to action, Mr. Akuntubgo urged policymakers to prioritize disaster risk reduction in budget allocations and appealed to donors and development partners to channel resources toward long-term resilience rather than emergency relief. He also encouraged community members to adopt safer practices and called on the youth to lead in climate action and environmental stewardship.
“Let the world know that in Bongo District, we will not wait for disaster to strike. We will prepare, we will plan, and above all, we will invest in resilience,” he declared.
Concluding his remarks, the Acting District Director urged that the day’s celebration be more than symbolic. “Let this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction not just be a day of speeches and slogans, but a turning point — a moment where we choose to put our resources where they matter most: into prevention and resilience,” he said.
Mr. Akuntubgo expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their continued support, reiterating NADMO’s vision of building a future “where our people are not victims of disasters but designers of their own safety and survival.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
