NADMO
HOLDS A WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL BUILDING GUIDE FOR LIGHTLY LOADED STRUCTURES IN
DISASTER PRONE AREAS
25TH
APRIL 2012
It
is known worldwide that, most disasters are due to lack of hazard resistant
structures and or buildings as well as poor state of buildings and
infrastructure.
Also,
buildings that collapsed due to rainstorms and floods in Ghana are partly due
to poor siting and construction.
As
part of efforts to reduce disasters in Ghana, the National Disaster Management
Organization, (NADMO) with assistance from United Nation Development Programme
(UNDP) has come out with a National Building Guide (NBG) to equip artisans and
developers with basic knowledge in the construction of lightly loaded
structures especially in hazard prone areas of Ghana.
Act
517 of 1996 mandates the National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO) to
manage disasters and similar emergencies in Ghana.
The Act among others makes NADMO specifically
responsible for the implementation of Government policy on Disaster Prevention,
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Management as well as the
implementation of national, regional and district disaster management plans.
Following
the launch of this Guide last year, NADMO has been holding forums in parts of
the country to sensitize its major stakeholders.
The
West Gonja District has not been left out on this exercise. On 25th
April 2012, a forum was held in Damongo, the district capital with stakeholders
to sensitize them on the National Building Guide and the need to use it
properly.
In
his welcome address, the District Planning Officer Mr. Victor Takida on behalf
of the DCE noted that, West Gonja is one of the disaster prone areas and was
happy that such an exercise was going to take place. He hoped that at the end
of the workshop members will put what they have learnt into practice.
On
his part Mr. Joseph Ankrah form NADMO headquarters, thanked the DA for their
support and entreated participants to consider the nature of building
structures in the district and take the necessary measures to avoid disasters.
He
said, most natural and man-made disasters are worsen or mitigated by the houses
in the communities. Adding that, the more engineered houses are built the more
safer and resilient to disasters we become as communities and nation. Hence, Preparing
and implementing guide should not be an option but a must.
He advised them to give a professional touch
to their work and not to allow people dictate to them how to go about their
work. He further advised them to be united and form associations to enable them
come out with fix rates to enhance their work.
Mr.
Joseph Ankrah later presented a number of the National Building Guide books to
the West Gonja District Assembly.
Mr. Victor Takida who received the books on
behalf of the Assembly said, efforts will be made to ensure that the exercise
is replicated in all the Area Councils in the district.
The
workshop was organized by NADMO in conjunction with the West Gonja District
Assembly.
It
brought together Welders, Masons, Carpenters, Traditional leaders, security
personnel and Assembly Persons among others.
Two
consultants, Mr. John F. Pinkrah and Mr. P.Y.O.Amoah Facilitated the programme.
BY MISS REGINA ATULE (AG. DIO WGDA)
