The United Nations (UN) said in a statement on Tuesday it has deepened support for Ghana’s efforts to establish a suitable framework for effective management of climate and disaster risk reduction (DRR).
The statement followed the release of the report of the national and local capacity assessment conducted in 2022 under the leadership of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Ghana, to evaluate the country’s risk management capabilities.
The statement said the report is a significant step forward in the partnership between the UN and the government of Ghana to strengthen disaster risk management and climate change adaptation capacities in the country.
It added that the report had brought to the fore the need for robust preparedness and response plans in key areas like agriculture, energy, social protection, environment, water, and sanitation.
The statement said the report had revealed the need to address the uneven distribution of climate impact as consequences of climate change were more severe for some communities than others.
“The next steps for Ghana after the report include developing an implementation plan and preparing a capacity development plan,” the release stated.
“Ghana also needs to ensure the dissemination of the findings and recommendations of the report at the regional and district levels and develop the DRR strategy and action plan,” the statement urged.
Ghana must also harmonize the planned recommendations with international and national development frameworks, added the release.
Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator, lauded Ghana’s vision for self-resilience, noting that the UN’s support is rooted in prevention principles.
“Collaborative efforts are critical to integrate the findings into existing policies, programs, and projects to strengthen DRR and climate adaptation in Ghana,” Abani stressed
Abani highlighted the need for government investment in major strategic projects, including the Pwalugu multipurpose dam, to control flooding and support livelihoods.
Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, Director General of NADMO, welcomed the continued assistance of the UN system to build Ghana’s climate change adaptation and DRR.
“The findings will inform the development of the national DRR strategy, a key requirement for member states of the UN, especially those committed to the implementation of the provisions of the Sendai Framework of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015 to 2030,” Agyemang Prempeh added.