Tema NADMO warns against unsafe practices as disaster risk reduction campaign reaches traders

By: Samuel Asamoah

The Tema Metropolitan Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has intensified public education on disaster prevention, urging traders and commercial drivers at the Accra Station near the Community One Market to adopt safer practices to protect lives, property and livelihoods.

The campaign, organised as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, focused on the need for collective action to build disaster-resilient communities.

The Tema Metropolitan NADMO Director, Hajia Zainab Abdulai, interacted with traders and commercial drivers, drawing attention to practices that increase the risk of fire outbreaks, flooding and other emergencies in busy commercial areas.

She cautioned traders against the reckless use of fire in the market and urged them to observe appropriate safety precautions to prevent incidents that could destroy merchandise, damage property and endanger lives.

She also warned against building on waterways and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste, which can obstruct drainage systems and worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

The exercise brought together representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ghana National Fire Service, who educated participants on environmental responsibility, fire prevention and general safety measures.

The involvement of the agencies underscored the importance of collaboration among public institutions, traders, transport operators and community members in identifying and reducing disaster risks.

The Deputy Tema Metropolitan NADMO Director, in his remarks, warned that newly emerging structures on waterways and drains would not be spared enforcement measures aimed at preventing flooding.

He stressed the need to protect natural watercourses and drainage infrastructure, cautioning developers against erecting structures that obstruct the free flow of water.

The warning comes amid persistent concerns about flooding in parts of the Greater Accra Region, where construction on waterways and poor waste management have been identified as contributing factors.

NADMO has repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of development regulations and improved public cooperation to address hazards before they develop into disasters.

The Tema exercise forms part of broader efforts to promote the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed in October, under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home.”

The theme emphasises that disaster prevention begins with individual responsibility and extends to households, businesses, communities and public institutions.

The Tema Metropolitan Directorate urged traders and commercial drivers to put the safety messages into practice, stressing that building disaster resilience requires sustained cooperation rather than action only after emergencies occur.