The Director–General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Major Dr Joseph Kunyo, has called on Ghanaian content creators and musicians to prioritise organising programmes and entertainment events in rural and remote communities, especially ahead of the Christmas festivities.
According to him, many residents in rural areas often have limited recreational activities and fewer job opportunities, making them more vulnerable to idleness and, in some cases, manipulation into criminal or violent activities.
He explained that regular social engagements such as concerts, community events, and creative arts outreach can help keep young people positively occupied.
“When people are engaged with productive activities, they have less time to plan conflict or involve themselves in negative behaviour. Many rural communities lack adequate jobs, so it becomes easy for some residents to be hired to engage in violence,” Dr Kunyo stressed.
Major Dr Kunyo additionally appealed to celebrated Ghanaian musicians, including Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Black Sherif, KiDi, and Kuami Eugene, to consider hosting more of their upcoming holiday events outside the major cities.
According to him, such outreach would not only create excitement but also help residents in rural and remote areas feel included in national social life.
“Let us make people living outside regional capitals feel involved and a part of society. When top artistes and content creators take entertainment to rural communities, it reduces crime, promotes peace, and brings joy and hope to young people,” he said.
He added that the creative arts industry holds immense potential for job creation and local economic development, especially in underserved communities where vendors, transport operators, artisans, and small businesses can benefit significantly from the influx of visitors during major events.
He also said this will go a long way to reduce the pressure in the capital cities, which most often creates traffic congestion and sometimes disasters due to the numbers that grace some of these events.
The Director–General made the call when executives and members of the Defence Press Corps paid a courtesy call on him to strengthen the relationship between NADMO and the media.
Speaking on behalf of the Corps, the Dean, Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey, who also serves as the Defence Correspondent for Media General, expressed appreciation for NADMO’s efforts in 2025. He highlighted the organisation’s early dredging and desilting of major drains in Accra, which contributed to a significant reduction in flood incidents this year.
He also commended NADMO for its swift response during recent disaster situations, noting that the organisation’s readiness has saved lives and protected several communities.
Despite the commendations, the Dean raised concerns about poor media collaboration in some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). According to him, the limited flow of information makes it difficult for the media to keep the public adequately informed during disasters.
“We need consistent and continuous media engagement on disaster preparedness to ensure the public receives timely and accurate information,” he urged.
The visit ended with the Defence Press Corps presenting a citation of honour to Major Dr Joseph Kunyo, congratulating him on his appointment and acknowledging his achievements as NADMO’s Director–General, who, in return, presented a plaque to the press corps.
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