John Dramani Mahama orders review of disaster preparedness systems

President John Dramani Mahama has directed an urgent and comprehensive assessment of Ghana’s disaster preparedness and emergency response systems. This executive order comes in response to recurring seasonal floods and frequent market fires that have continued to impact the nation. The initiative is designed to move the country toward a more proactive, coordinated approach to managing domestic emergencies and safeguarding public safety.

The review will be led by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness (NAREP). Under the President's directive, NAREP is tasked with developing a "Comprehensive National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness Strategic Plan." This document is intended to serve as a national roadmap for enhancing disaster prevention efforts and streamlining the response protocols of various state agencies and emergency services.

Recent incidents have underscored the necessity of this evaluation, specifically the severe flooding in Accra and devastating fire outbreaks at the Kumasi Central Market. These events have highlighted significant vulnerabilities among traders and small business owners, exposing gaps in current institutional coordination and the need for more robust infrastructure to protect economic livelihoods.

As part of the assessment process, NAREP will consult with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the new strategy addresses the practical needs of various sectors. Beyond government-level interventions, the plan will emphasize strengthening risk governance and improving household preparedness. The ultimate goal is to build a resilient national framework capable of mitigating the impact of future environmental and man-made disasters.