African experts attend disaster preparedness course
Disaster management experts from 17 African countries have begun a three-week disaster preparedness initiative course in Accra.
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It is aimed at equipping participants with the tool and skills to prepare and combat any threat of disaster in Africa.
It is also for African countries to utilise lessons learnt from the recent Ebola epidemic and strengthen national capacity among West and Central African partner nations (PNs) to implement an all-hazards approach to disaster preparedness and response management.
The course is taking place at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and the Interior, Mr Fritz Baffour, said it was important for African countries to join forces to combat the threat of the outbreak of diseases.
He said although it was necessary for each country to put in place its national disaster plan, there was more to gain, if countries on the continent worked together.
“If we come together as a continent and map out a strategic disaster preparedness plan, we will be more capable to address any issues that may pose a danger to our growth and our respective national development,” Mr Baffour said.
He said over the years, the government had invested in equipping the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) with the requisite skills and tools to deal with any national disaster.
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“Currently, there is a bill before Parliament which seeks to properly upgrade NADMO to efficiently discharge its duties and operations,” he said.
Don’t wait
In a speech, the Deputy Director of Programmes of the United States Africa Command, Dr Barbara Sotirin, stressed the need for African leaders to not wait until disaster struck the continent before planning.
She said each country should put in place efficient mechanisms to address and combat disaster, adding that “by so doing, you will be positioned to deal with any major disaster”.
She also emphasised the need for countries to develop an effective communication channel in their attempt to address national disaster.
KAIPTC determined
The Commandant of the KAIPTC, Major O.B. Akwa, said the centre strove to train people in disaster management and post-conflict reconstruction towards the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts and how to help rebuild war-torn and disaster-affected states.