Stakeholders discuss road map: For disaster preparedness, response in Africa

Experts are meeting in Accra to come up with a road map for disaster preparedness and response in Africa.

The initiative is expected to spell out how to streamline and sustain the various activities geared towards disaster preparedness and response.

The three-day meeting which began on Monday followed a six-month disaster management and response training course organised for 800 management practitioners from 12 African countries at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.

The countries which attended the West Africa Disaster Preparedness Initiative (WADPI) training are Ghana, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Mali, the Gambia and Cameroon.

It was funded by the United States (US) Africa Command (USAAFRICOM) with technical support by the US government, institutions and partners.

Interior Minister

The Minister of the Interior, Mr Mark Woyongo, said the coordinated efforts by member countries was the surest way to achieve success in disaster management and response.

He said response to and management of disaster demanded information sharing among countries.  

Mr Woyongo expressed satisfaction that African countries had realised the need to take up the initiative.

He stressed the need for member countries to intensify efforts to improve their responsiveness to disasters.

ECOWAS Commission

The Vice-President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Toga Gayewea McIntosh, said about 10,000 lives were lost through Ebola early this year.

He said Ebola exposed the inadequacies of the health systems in West Africa.

Therefore, Dr McIntosh said the capacity training was expected to improve the preparedness of member countries in tackling disasters.

He said the Commission would not spare any effort to support countries to prepare against disasters.

US Africa Command

The Deputy Director of Programme J5 of the US Africa Command, Dr Barbara Sotirin commended the participating countries for taking up ownership of disaster management.

She gave assurance that her outfit would continue to support Africa to build their capacity in disaster preparedness and response.

KAIPTC Commandant

The Commandant of KAIPTC, Major General Obed Boamah Akwa, said the WADPI programme had kept its focus of strengthening and building African capacities to implement an all-hazards approach to disaster preparedness and response. He said the training would enhance regional collaboration in that direction.