The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has attributed most disasters recorded in the Ada East District to human activities, warning that the trend requires urgent attention from residents and authorities.
According to the organisation, apart from windstorms, most disasters occurring in the district, including flooding and fire outbreaks, were largely preventable and resulted from human actions and negligence.
The Ada East District Director of NADMO, Moses Jumpah, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Big Ada.
He explained that many flooding incidents in the district were linked to the disregard for planning regulations and environmental protection measures.
Mr. Jumpah noted that wetlands naturally serve as collection points for runoff water from higher grounds, helping to regulate water flow and protect communities from flooding, adding, however, that many of these wetlands have been encroached upon and converted into residential and commercial developments.
According to him, some waterways and creeks have also been sold to private developers who have constructed buildings on them, obstructing the natural flow of water and causing flooding in homes, schools, and public facilities during heavy rains.
“Nature created wetlands and waterways for good purposes. Once we block them with buildings and other structures, the water will find its own path, and that often results in flooding,” he stated.
On fire outbreaks, Mr. Jumpah revealed that while bushfires remained common in the district, domestic fires were becoming an increasing concern.
He attributed many domestic fire incidents to unsafe practices such as storing fuel in homes, keeping gas cylinders in bedrooms, and housing outboard motors indoors.
The NADMO District Director recounted an incident involving a fisherman who stored a container of fuel in his kitchen, noting that the fuel ignited when children in the household attempted to cook with a gas cylinder, resulting in a fire outbreak that left the children with burns.
Fortunately, he said, the victims were rushed to a health facility and survived.
Mr. Jumpah urged residents to adhere to safety guidelines, observe proper fire prevention measures, and comply with building regulations to reduce the occurrence of avoidable disasters.
He also called on community leaders, traditional authorities, and local assemblies to intensify public education on environmental protection and disaster prevention.
Mr. Jumpah stressed that reducing human-induced disasters would require collective action and a commitment by residents to prioritise safety and environmental sustainability.
Source: GNA
