By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), Oct 15, GNA-The Keta Municipal office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has celebrated the 2025 edition of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) with a focus on protecting the environment.
The occasion was marked on the global theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disaster,” and brought together stakeholders, government officials, students, educators, media houses, and community members to mark the day.
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, who also took part in the exercise, in his address, emphasised the need for assemblies and the public to prioritise disaster risk reduction in various areas to sustain the environment.
“It is important to fund resilience efforts, enforce physical planning regulations, and take action against unauthorised construction in disaster-prone areas,” he said.
He explained that the 2025 IDDR celebration in Keta was a call to action which reflected a growing recognition that resilience should be funded, planned, and rooted in community participation.
He commended Keta Municipal NADMO office and its partners for demonstrating complete leadership in aligning local actions with global disaster risk reduction goals.
Mr Pascal Agbagba, the Volta Regional NADMO Director, during the occasion, urged stakeholders to invest in resilience but not in disaster, and highlighted on essential preventative measures, which included improving drainage systems, regular de-silting of gutters, tree planting, and community clean-up exercises.
“It is good enough to task various stakeholders and the public to invest in resilience and disaster risk management and reduction to save the communities.”
Mr Wisdom Seade, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said that many local initiatives were put in place to mitigate flooding and environmental degradation in the municipality.
He emphasised that sand winning activities, which had been a devastating challenge along the coastal communities in the municipality have been halted while monthly clean-up exercises were implemented to help keep the environment clean across all electoral areas.
Mr Wonder Setsoafia Deynu, the Keta Municipal NADMO Director, told the Ghana News Agency that NADMO was committed to deepen community engagement in disaster prevention and announced that the organisation had formed ‘NADMO Fun Clubs’ in schools as well as the establishment of Disaster Volunteer Groups (DVGs) across various institutions.
He said the motive was to help educate the public about methods of protecting the environment and keeping it safe for the benefit of humanity.
As part of the programme, a seminar was held at the Municipal Assembly Hall and a symbolic tree planting exercise was carried out at the Keta Nursing and Midwifery Training College, to mark the activities.
They served as platforms for education, awareness creation, and action on disaster preparedness and climate resilience in the municipality.
The public was also urged to show commitment and continue collaboration and community engagement in disaster risk reduction efforts and to promote good and healthy living.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah