The Ashanti Regional Disaster Management committee held its first meeting on Friday 4th May, 2012 in Kumasi to discuss issues of disaster management in the region for the year 2012. Members of the committee comprised representative from Road Safety Commission, Ghana National Fire Service, Meteorological Service Department, ISD, NADMO, CEPS, RCC, Ghana Immigration Service, EPA, Ghana Armed Forces, Geological Service Department, Town and Country Planning Department. Others include Ghana Highway Authority, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Forestry Department among others.

A Director at the Regional Coordinating Council, Mr S. Amponsah chaired the meeting. The Regional NADMO Action Plan for 2012 is to help minimise and control disaster in the region. Some activities planned are as follows; management of election related disputes, resolving refugee crisis and dealing with the conflict between Fulanis and their host, media sensitisation and radio discussion on disaster, inspection of flood prone areas and projects on waterways, public education on road safety, anti bush fire campaign and health campaign on Cholera.

It was observed at the meeting that public education and attitudinal change and enforcement of laws are important components that can curb and control disasters. The Regional NADMO Coordinator, Mr Kwaku Aninka Sie, told the committee about the serious illegal gold mining activities which have almost destroyed the entire Amansie West and Central District. He also called for immediate check on the two districts before a major disaster occurs.

Members expressed strong concern about lack of enforcement of law and regulation on environmental sanitation. The committee proposed to write a comprehensive report on illegal mining (galamsey) by the Chinese and foreign nationals.

Members called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to lend their support in the preparation of base maps, publicise them and ensure that the schemes and plans are followed accordingly. It was stressed that building regulations and bye-laws must be enforced to prevent fire, flood and other disasters.

The meeting also proposed that, NADMO should make its recommendations on disasters known to everyone and also warn those whose activities caused disasters that they will not get any help if they are to cause any disaster.

The chairman for the meeting thanked members for their commitment.

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