Let’s Prevent Disasters-MCE

THE NEW Juaben Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Nana Adjei Boateng, has noted that disaster prevention must be everybody's concern since disasters are no respecter of persons, creed or status.

He reiterated that most disasters were human-induced and thus preventable.

“People build on waterways and throw rubbish into drains, and these acts cause flooding,” he said.

He noted further that many disasters like fires were caused by human activities which normally come about as a result of non-observance of basic precautionary measures.

The MCE was speaking at the passing-out ceremony of 50 volunteers who had undergone four-week training in basic emergency response skills in fire management, rescue method, environmental management and tent building as part of efforts to enhance the National Disaster Management Organisation's (NADMO) preparedness to handle any disaster situation in the New Juaben Municipality.

He said the volunteers, who were trained in conjunction with personnel of the Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Survey Department, Meteorological Service Department and the National Ambulance Service, would provide their communities with first line of defence against fire outbreaks and other disasters.

“These people are also to assist their communities in disaster prevention and management efforts and offer counseling to traumatized victims of disasters before experts arrive.”

The Municipal NADMO Co-ordinator, Peter Kwadwo Opong, observed that the training was prompted by the emphasis being given to risk management, and more importantly, to reaffirm NADMO's readiness to handle any disaster in the municipality.

He disclosed that education in domestic and bush fire prevention and management had been organised by NADMO in 10 communities in the municipality, and identified the communities as Ada, Oyoko, Densuano, Nyamekrom, Asokore, Suhyen, Abotanso, Jumapo, Akwadum and Mpaem.

He expressed his outfit's gratitude to the assembly for supporting the training programme with ¢20 million, and further thanked
other agencies for helping to make the training programme successful.

From Thomas Fosu Jnr., Koforidua