NADMO HOLDS A WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL BUILDING GUIDE FOR LIGHTLY LOADED STRUCTURES IN DISASTER PRONE AREAS

25^TH 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 25^th 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)