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The Central Regional Coordinating Council has formally established the newly reconstituted Central Regional Disaster Management Committee (CRDMC) within its conference room in Cape Coast, pledging to protect the lives, livelihoods, and environment of the inhabitants of the Central Region.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), CDCO Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood Mensah, noted that the ceremony was a significant milestone, marking a defining step toward proactive, coordinated, and community-centered disaster prevention in the region.
Committee’s Establishment, Vision and Mission
The Committee’s establishment aligns with Ghana’s legal and institutional framework for disaster risk management, which mandates disaster governance at all levels.
Specifically, the CRDMC formation is supported by the National Disaster Management Organisation Act, 2016 (Act 927); Section 12 of the Act mandates the establishment of Regional Disaster Management Committees, which are responsible for planning, coordination, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Therefore, the committee’s establishment is not only timely, but also vital in achieving the overall disaster preparedness and response of the region. He emphasized to the committee’s members that they should work collaboratively to achieve the organization’s vision and mission. “As we assume our roles today, let us all be guided by the vision and mission of NADMO: Vision: To build a disaster-resilient Ghana”, he underscored.
The Regional NADMO Director reminded members of the organization’s Mission Statement, which is “To manage disasters by coordinating resources, promoting disaster risk reduction activities, and enhancing community-based response mechanisms”. This prompted them to contextualize the mission by leveraging the expertise of other relevant agencies to address local needs in the 22 MMDAs across the region.
“This Committee exists to localize that mission, taking it beyond policy documents and into practical impact across our 22 MMDAs, underscoring that no single agency can manage disasters alone. This Committee must become a platform for trust, data-sharing, joint training, simulations, and action”, he stressed.
In a bid to reduce disaster impact, he reminded them to find ingenious ways of embedding disaster risk reduction into every sector, from communities and workplaces to education, health, and infrastructure, as a matter of responsibility. “Our work must reflect equity, transparency, and accountability and must reach the most vulnerable, including the aged, children, persons with disabilities, farmers, and those in both formal and informal settlements”, emphasised the regional director.
Active, but not Passive CRDMC
The committee was tasked with being proactive, rather than passive, in executing their duties, particularly in preemptive disaster education. He drew their attention to the fact that the committee members were selected based on their diverse skill sets and expertise to help safeguard lives and livelihoods. “We have been carefully chosen for our expertise, leadership, and influence,” he reminded committee members.
Mandate of CRDMC
The mandate is both wide-ranging and impactful, and are expected to among others:
1. Develop regional disaster preparedness and response plans;
2. Coordinate with district committees, NADMO offices, national institutions; and
international bodies.
3. Conduct risk assessments and identify vulnerable communities;
4. Ensure timely mobilization and distribution of relief resources;
5. Promote public education and community resilience initiatives; and
6. Advocate for risk-informed development planning across all sectors.
To be highly effective, the committee’s efforts will have a direct impact on lives and shape the future of our region, guided by the overarching vision of facilitating the region’s transition from vulnerability to resilience, and from reaction to proactive anticipation.
Call to Collective Action
As previously mentioned, he reiterated that disaster management is not the responsibility of one institution, necessitating a collaborative effort from what Mr. Mensah terms “whole-of-society collaboration”, including the health directorate.
Role of Local Government Act
The Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) authorizes Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to oversee public service delivery and guarantee disaster preparedness within their respective jurisdictions.
These laws, among many others, provide this Committee with the legal authority, operational framework, and institutional legitimacy to take decisive action in protecting our region from disaster risks,
Need For This Committee
In a bid to justify the importance of committee, Mr. Dawood Mensah emphasized that the Central Region, with its diverse topography and rich coastal and riverine ecosystems, is unfortunately no stranger to the threats of natural and human-induced disasters. They have witnessed in recent years the destructive impact of: flooding in low-lying areas like Cape Coast, Mankessim, Winneba, Breman Asikuma, Elmina, Budumburam, and many other towns.
Coastal erosion in communities such as Ankaful, Komenda, and Moree. Environmental degradation from illegal sand winning in Abakrampa, Nsanful, Gomoa
Nyanyano, Mankessim,Twifo Praso and many other areas.
·Mining activities in Upper Denkyira West, Upper Denkyira East, Assin North, Assin Central, Assin South,Twifo Atti Morkwaa, Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira, KEEA,
Mfantseman and Gomoa West creating landslides, mudslides and other forms of geological disasters.
Collapse of buildings, billboards, overgrown avenue trees and other structures which affects lives and properties.
On Fire Disasters – a number of fire disaster incidents have been reported on daily basis in the
MMDAs all over the Region.This includes both domestic and commercial fires which has
results in the displacement of several individuals with considerable damages to properties. Latest incidents are in Ogonaso in AOB, Adansi in Effutu, Johnson Streets in CCMA, Old Praso in TAM, Dunkwa Kumasi Station in UDE, among others.
And occasional outbreaks of disease epidemics following floods and poor sanitation conditions.
These are not merely incidents, but warnings. They remind us that disaster management must never be reactive; it must be strategic, inclusive and well-coordinated.
Building on the aforementioned disasters affecting the region, he encouraged committee members to cultivate a spirit of collaboration and set a positive example. “Our service must embody transparency, coordination, innovation, and compassion,” he emphasized.
CDCO Dawood Mensah took the opportunity to commend the Regional Minister, the Regional Coordinating Director, and the Regional Coordinating Council for their decisive leadership and assurance that they are fully behind the work of this committee and stand ready to provide the necessary administrative and logistical support for their operations.
He assured the committee of NADMO’s unflinching support from regional and national levels to equip them with the technical resources and training required for their success.
“We will also work with our development partners and donor agencies to strengthen disaster infrastructure and community-based early warning systems”, he promised.
Commendations
NADMO extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to all agencies, institutions, and individuals who continue to play pivotal roles in supporting NADMO’s disaster response efforts throughout the Region. NADMO Central Region acknowledges, with sincere gratitude, the exceptional commitment and collaborative spirit demonstrated by the following: The Ghana Police Service, for its prompt mobilization, crowd control, protection, and maintenance of public safety and order during disaster management operations, The Ghana National Fire Service in the region, led by ACFO Mrs. Mary Attigah Mensah, for their timely deployment, technical support, and contributions to search and rescue and emergency response efforts, The NADMO Rescue Team, NADMO’s Regional Rapid Response team, NADMO’s Operations team, and all NADMO Officers, especially the disaster officers who remain on-site until late into the night, demonstrating admirable dedication and professionalism in executing their duties, and The MMDCEs in the various MMDAs for providing institutional leadership, logistical support, and effective coordination towards disaster management in their areas.
He expressed his gratitude to all relevant stakeholders on behalf of NADMO, whose resources, expertise, and active participation have significantly contributed to mitigating the impact of disaster incidents, as well as providing support to victims. He also extended his appreciation to the media and the general public, whose cooperation, volunteer efforts, and calm responses have been instrumental in disaster prevention, disaster management, search and rescue operations, as well as relief and reconstruction efforts.
Conclusion
Upon the conclusion of the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Mensah humbly implored each member to approach this responsibility with the gravitas it warrants. He further reminded them that the esteemed Nananom and the good people of the Central Region are relying on their leadership, dedication, and vision to enhance the region, rendering it a superior and safer locale for residency.
“Let this committee be recognized not only for its establishment, but also for its effectiveness, not merely for its gatherings, but for its tangible impact. Together, let us strive to build a Central Region that is secure, resilient, and well-prepared. Congratulations to us all. May God bless our homeland Ghana. May God bless the Central Region. And may God bless our service to humanity”, he affirmed.
