Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, an independent presidential candidate, has urged the government to provide funding so that the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) can effectively carry out its duty.
He said the government needed to properly resource NADMO and make investments in early warning systems in light of the Akosombo and Kpong dam spills and the ensuing flooding in areas surrounding Volta Lake.
Speaking to a group of traditional leaders from the Mepe Traditional Area last Sunday while on a visit to the flood victims, Mr Kyerematen emphasized that the organization needed more resources in order to fulfil its mandate of protecting people and property during emergencies.
Creating awareness of disasters through extensive public education, ensuring disaster prevention, risk, and vulnerability reduction to lessen the impact of disasters on society, being prepared to offer first-line response during times of disaster, and supporting post-emergency rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts are all part of NADMO’s responsibilities.
NADMO is to also assist and motivate community-based organisations to serve as credible voluntary organisations to assist in the prevention and management of disasters at the local level; and set up monitoring and early warning systems to aid the identification of disasters in their formative stages, to disseminate timely information and warning, and hazard/disaster awareness creation among other things.
Citing the flood caused by the spillage as an example, Mr Kyerematen said NADMO was under-resourced hence it was unable to deliver on its mandate of attending to the flood victims.
He expressed concern at how households had been submerged by the spilt water from the dam.
Mr Kyerematen promised to solicit relief items for the victims and urged the government, corporate entities and well-to-do individuals, to support the victims in their distress.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) started the controlled spillage at the Akosombo and Kpong dams, both in the Eastern Region, on September 16, 2023, following excess water in both reservoirs due to appreciable levels of rainfall.
The spillage has affected almost all the communities along the lower Volta Basin.
