As the rainy season approaches, a Kumasi-based Environmental Expert, Mr. Jones Doudo, is appealing to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to intensify its public awareness program, focusing on educating citizens about environmental laws and water safety precautions to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Mr. Doudo expressed his concerns in anq interview, highlighting the annual trend of residents becoming victims of flooding and related disasters due to a disregard for environmental regulations.
AHe emphasized the significant financial burden this places on the government, forcing it to allocate substantial resources to rescue efforts and disaster relief.
“The government ends up spending millions of cedis on disaster casualties each year,” Mr. Doudo stated.
Aa”This money could be better utilized for other crucial development projects across the country. It is therefore imperative that NADMO takes proactive steps to educate the public on what to do and, more importantly, what not to do during the rainy season to safeguard lives and property.”
Mr. Doudo specifically called on NADMO to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign, utilizing various media platforms to reach all segments of the population. This campaign should emphasize the importance of:
proper waste disposal and drainage management to prevent blocked waterways.
Avoiding construction in waterways and flood-prone areas.
Understanding flood warning signs and evacuation procedures.
The dangers of venturing into flooded areas.
Furthermore, Mr. Doudo called on the government to enforce existing regulations against building in waterlogged areas.
He advocated for strict penalties for offenders, sending a clear message that such activities will not be tolerated. In a controversial suggestion, Mr. Doudo proposed holding chiefs and landowners who sell land in waterlogged areas accountable for their actions.
“These chiefs and landowners, who often sell these lands during the dry season, are essentially engaging in fraudulent transactions,” Doudo argued.
“They should be arrested and made to explain their conduct, which amounts to cheating and theft with regards to land buying regulations in the country.”
Mr. Doudo believes that addressing the root causes of the problem, including illegal construction and irresponsible land sales, is critical to mitigating the impact of the rainy season.
He is optimistic that if the government and NADMO heed his message and implement these recommendations, Ghana can significantly reduce unnecessary expenditure on disaster relief and, most importantly, save lives during the rainy season.
He urged all stakeholders to prioritize environmental awareness and responsible land management to create a safer and more resilient nation.
