NADMO Blames Human Activities for Most Disasters in Ada East District
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has attributed the majority of disasters recorded in the Ada East District to human activities, warning that the trend demands urgent attention from both residents and authorities.
According to the organisation, aside from windstorms, most disasters in the district—including flooding and fire outbreaks—are largely preventable and stem from human actions and negligence.
Ada East District NADMO Director, Moses Jumpah, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Big Ada.
He explained that many flooding incidents in the district are linked to disregard for planning regulations and environmental protection measures.
Mr. Jumpah noted that wetlands naturally serve as collection points for runoff water from higher elevations, helping regulate water flow and protect communities from flooding. However, many of these wetlands have been encroached upon and converted into residential and commercial developments.
He added that some waterways and creeks have been sold to private developers who have constructed buildings on them, obstructing natural water flow and causing flooding in homes, schools, and public facilities during heavy rains.
“Nature created wetlands and waterways for good purposes. Once we block them with buildings and other structures, the water will find its own path, and that often results in flooding,” he said.
On fire outbreaks, Mr. Jumpah revealed that while bushfires remain common in the district, domestic fires are becoming an increasing concern.
He attributed many household fire incidents to unsafe practices such as storing fuel in homes, keeping gas cylinders in bedrooms, and housing outboard motors indoors.
He recounted an incident involving a fisherman who stored a container of fuel in his kitchen. The fuel ignited when children attempted to cook with a gas cylinder, resulting in a fire that left the children with burns. Fortunately, they were rushed to a health facility and survived.
Mr. Jumpah urged residents to adhere to safety guidelines, observe proper fire‑prevention measures, and comply with building regulations to reduce the occurrence of avoidable disasters.
He also called on community leaders, traditional authorities, and local assemblies to intensify public education on environmental protection and disaster prevention.