National Disaster Management Organisation (nadmo) Should Shift Its Focus From Food Distribution To Disaster Prevention

In June of this year, heavy rainfall inundated Accra, turning the city into a landscape dominated by floodwaters that overflowed major roads and obstructed access to essential services. Marketplaces and public offices were submerged, leaving vendors and pedestrians stranded in rising waters. Thousands of residents were displaced, forced to abandon their homes in pursuit of safety. In response to this devastating disaster, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) quickly mobilised. Its trucks, marked with the organisation's insignia, arrived in the hardest-hit areas, distributing vital supplies such as food and tarpaulins to shelter those who had lost everything. The atmosphere was a mix of desperation and hope as communities united to navigate the aftermath of the disaster. While the relief supplies were critical for addressing immediate survival needs in the wake of the floods, they also highlighted significant shortcomings in a strategy that primarily relies on handouts. To truly protect lives and property in the future, NADMO must move beyond merely distributing emergency provisions to implementing proactive measures aimed at preventing such disasters in the first place. This transformation is vital for building resilience within communities and ensuring a more sustainable approach to disaster management.

The flooding in Accra vividly underscores the pressing challenges faced by the city. Rapid urbanisation has transformed once-open spaces into densely populated neighbourhoods, while clogged drainage systems exacerbate the problem, turning ordinary rainfall into a disaster. Unregulated settlements precariously situated in riverbeds further increase the risk, and the city’s stormwater infrastructure cannot cope with the overwhelming volume of water. “We could not move for hours,” recounted a taxi driver from Weija, his voice filled with frustration. A local resident expressed a common concern: “We received food later, but what about improving the roads and drainage systems to prevent this from happening again?” This predicament is not unique to Accra; similar challenges are evident in various regions, highlighting a widespread issue that demands urgent attention and action.

In the vibrant community of Anloga, nestled in the symbolic Volta Region, seasonal floods wreak havoc on essential cassava and maize crops that sustain local farmers. Each year, swollen rivers overflow, inundating the fields and leaving destruction and despair in their wake. After receiving humanitarian aid, many farmers find themselves returning to the same vulnerable lands, trapped in a cycle of dependence due to the lack of viable alternative fields and inadequate drainage systems to manage the flooding. “We receive food, but the floods always return,” lamented one local farmer, their voice heavy with the weight of recurring loss.

In Keta, the relentless advance of coastal erosion poses yet another significant challenge to the community's resilience. This phenomenon is a poignant reminder of the limits of reactive responses to crises: while food supplies and tarpaulins offer temporary relief, they do little to restore eroded shorelines or protect livelihoods lost to the encroaching sea. A farmer from Tegbi articulated the sentiments of many when he said, “Aid helps us survive in the present, but preventive measures would secure our children’s future.” This statement underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions that prioritise the long-term health of both the land and the lives it sustains.

In the northern region, communities have grappled with prolonged dry spells that are often abruptly followed by fierce storms, resulting in significant destruction of millet and sorghum crops. Although they receive aid during drought periods and have access to food supplies, these communities remain trapped in a cycle of vulnerability. The absence of effective water-harvesting techniques, innovative climate-smart agricultural practices, and comprehensive insurance options further exacerbates their struggles, making it challenging for them to escape this precarious situation.

Investing in preventive measures yields distinctly better outcomes than relying solely on repeated emergency relief efforts. By establishing robust early warning systems, we can efficiently alert communities to potential disasters in advance. Additionally, implementing comprehensive community preparedness programmes equips residents with the knowledge and resources needed to respond swiftly and effectively in challenging situations. Embracing nature-based solutions, such as restoring crucial ecosystems like mangroves and wetlands, also significantly enhances resilience to natural disasters. These natural barriers not only protect against storm surges but also promote overall environmental health.

Furthermore, improving drainage systems and developing resilient public infrastructure help ensure that communities are better prepared to cope with adverse weather conditions. Research consistently shows that investments in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) not only minimise potential damage but also facilitate quicker recovery. The economic and social benefits of DRR initiatives often far outweigh the costs of relief and reconstruction, making them essential for sustainable community development (Modern Ghana, 2025).

To ensure a smooth and effective transition, NADMO must strategically realign its resources and responsibilities, with a clear focus on critical areas that support its overarching mission. By purposefully directing its resources, NADMO can significantly enhance its response efforts in several ways:

• Enhancing early warning and local communication: Integrate meteorological office forecasts with community alert systems, radio broadcasts, community information centres, SMS, mobile networks, and faith-based organisations to provide residents with clear and actionable guidance before floods and storms.
• Prioritising urban stormwater management: Ensure drains are cleared, invest in retention basins, and enforce land-use regulations, starting with the areas most affected in Accra.
• Empowering municipal and district NADMO offices: Educate staff to effectively coordinate preparedness efforts, enforce necessary relocations, and promote nature-based solutions.
• Promoting pre-disaster funding and microinsurance: Encourage initiatives that help families recover independently, reducing reliance on ongoing aid.

This should not be interpreted as a dismissal of the crucial relief efforts that typically follow natural disasters. When severe storms and other calamities occur, providing immediate food assistance is essential to meet the urgent needs of impacted communities. However, it is important to recognise that such assistance should be temporary and closely aligned with comprehensive recovery strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of future disasters. Donors and governmental agencies must realign their funding priorities toward initiatives that enhance community resilience. This shift in focus is imperative; ministries, legislative bodies, and development partners must commit to prioritising long-term investments in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies. Only through this approach can we lessen our dependence on sporadic food aid and lay a foundation for sustained recovery and preparedness against future risks.

The transition towards more sustainable practices indeed encounters substantial cultural and political obstacles. Food distribution, being a highly visible process, garners significant political attention and public debate. In contrast, preventive measures such as coastal engineering, strict enforcement of zoning laws, and reforestation often take place in the background, providing enduring benefits that may not be immediately recognised. As municipal officer Joe Martey astutely observes, "The applause for a well-executed distribution effort is loud and apparent, but it is the prevention initiatives that mitigate disasters which truly empower and strengthen our cities for the future."

To summarise, Ghana is currently grappling with increasing climate and development challenges that present substantial risks to its progress and resilience. The transformation of NADMO from a food-distribution agency to a proactive prevention organisation is both crucial and innovative. This shift is essential not just from a practical perspective but also as a moral imperative, as it seeks to protect lives today while laying the foundation for a sustainable future. The urgency of prioritising prevention cannot be overstated, especially in the face of imminent threats such as floods, storms, and erosion, which could undermine the nation’s hard-won achievements. It is imperative that we take decisive action now to safeguard our communities and the progress made towards a more resilient Ghana. The time to invest in prevention is now, before the next flood, storm, or erosion erases what we have worked so hard to rebuild.

By
Peter Twumhene
Former Assembly Member for Suhyen Electoral Area, New Juaben North Municipal Assembly – Eastern Region, Ghana