ABSTRACT
The aftermath of disasters in Ghana most especially in recent years calls for an enquiry into the nature and approach of disaster management organizations in dealing with such situations. As threats of terrorisms, flooding and earthquakes increases, there is greater demand on disaster management and response organizations to enhance their efficacy by engaging measures to reduce impact of these various types of disasters. In light of this, this study seeks to examine disaster management and coordination in Ghana. It employs a qualitative research approach with the use of both primary and secondary data sources. Officials from key disaster management organizations were purposely chosen to aid with data collection. The study revealed that, legal frameworks exist to ensure effective disaster management however implementation is a challenge. Politics, citizen attitudes, resource constraints and the challenge of coordinating actitivities of disaster management organizations continue to undermine disaster management efforts in the Ghana. The study recommends sustainable relief and reconstruction, depoliticisation of NADMO, engagement of traditional leaders and improved communication networks at ways of improving disaster management and coordination in Ghana.
Keywords; Disaster, Disaster management, NADMO
CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The effectiveness of disaster management organizations in properly handling and dealing with disaster situations cannot be ruled out in discussions on disaster management. As the disruptive effects of disaster continue to increase, it is important for disaster management organizations to demonstrate proactiveness towards effective emergency management. This chapter introduces the research subject by providing the background to the study, research problem, research objectives and questions, significance of the study, scope and limitations of the study as well as organization of the study.
Background of the study.
Right through history, disasters have caused huge cost in both material, human and physical resources and consequently grave damage to the environment. Disasters present a significant obstacle to socio-economic stability and development and as suggested by Gyireh & Nunbogu (2015) they are nature’s methods of changing terrains and developing new biodiversities. As stated in the (Bank, 2010) document, disasters have been one among many phenomena that have posed great challenges on many economies, particularly, growing ones that have restrained managerial capabilities. Disasters involve an extreme interruption of the operation of a society or network at any extent as a result of harmful events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, which leads to material, human, economic, and environmental influences and losses. ( Advocacy and Capacity Building For Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness in Ghana Project. Final Project Report, 2017). Palanivel, Saravanavel &
Gunasekaran (2015) define disaster as a severe occurrence within the earth’s system that leads to loss or destruction of value items and property, injury to persons and in extreme cases death. From monstrous storms and tsunamis to civil wars and drought, both natural disasters and manmade disasters obstruct progress of families, societies and economies. The world has experienced several forms of disasters, along with the Ebola, starvation and conflict within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Hurricane Katrina, 2005 in the United States, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and September 11, 2001 terrorist attack within the United States.
Ghana is one of the fast rising countries in sub Saharan Africa that is not an exception when it comes to the incidence and frequency of disaster. The country has experienced several forms of disasters in the forms of floods, droughts, fire outbreaks and outbreak of disease within the last decades. These include the 1999, Northern floods, the Dompoase mine collapse on November 12, 2009, in the Ashanti Region, Swedru floods, in June 24, 2010, only to mention a few. The Accra, the Capital City of Ghana has experienced periodic fire outbreaks, floods and different kinds of disaster resulting in the loss of many lives and destruction of property. Notable among them include the November 7, 2012, Achimota Melcom disaster, the June 3, 2015 dual catastrophe at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, October 2017, atomic gas explosion at atomic junction and the December 2, 2016 Trade Fair gas explosion. Evidently, the emergence of these disasters resulted in many lives lost with damage to numerous assets in the affected areas. The National Disaster Management Organization(NADMO), the main coordinating organization has come under scrutiny for its capability in effectively handling disaster situations in Ghana. Due to large scale loss of human lives and property, many people have also questioned the roles of the collaborating organizations in effectively responding to disaster and mitigating its impacts.
According to (Noran, 2014) a lack of proper interoperation and collaboration among disaster management and response organizations often affects their performance in handling disaster situations. Obviously, how successfully disaster management and organizations deal with various types of crisis situations is dependent on their ability to efficiently collaborate throughout the different phases of the disaster management cycle. Eide, Haugstveit, & Borén (2013) observe that an important aspect in dealing with massive emergencies is the successful cooperation between emergency services and non-governmental organizations. Proper preparation and response are required by the various institutions to effectively respond to and manage these unforeseen circumstances. This necessitates an understanding of the various emergency response organizations and their roles in disaster management. As suggested by (Eide et al., 2013) this understanding, coordination, and cooperation will enhance performance of the various stakeholders in disaster management. Accordingly, innovative ways coupled with advanced technology would better facilitate this process.
Interagency cooperation is thus central to disaster management given that it requires the intervention of the police service, fire service, emergency medical services and different applicable agencies. It requires a multidimensional technique that leverages the competencies, resources and dedication of authorities, government agencies, non-governmental agencies and individuals. Carter(2008)argues that contemporary disaster management is a general requirement, essential to both governments’ and citizens and in order to be successful, disaster management ought to be carried out as an inclusive and an uninterrupted activity and not as a periodic response to isolated cases of disasters. Effective disaster management involves planning, coordination, communication and risk assessment in order to achieve results(Caymaz, Akyon, & Erenel, 2013).
Research Problem
Disaster management in Ghana, especially in municipal or metropolitan areas like Accra is predominantly complex due to growing urbanization and its related effects which repeatedly increases exposure of humans and financial property to hazards and creates new forms of risk. The aftermath of these disasters and subsequently its management have impacted the lives of many citizens and societies leading to both temporary and permanent changes. For instance, between the periods 1991 and 2008, the country experienced six(6) major floods which impacted over two million people(Ghana Plan of action on disaster risk reduction(drr) & climate change adaptation(cca),n.d). Subsequently, the growth in frequency of these diverse forms of disaster in the country and its enormous consequence such as the June 3, 2015 twin catastrophe necessitates a more effective collaboration for preventing, responding to and restoring communities after such undesirable circumstances.
Disaster Management involves activities that seek to mitigate the terrible consequences of disaster, ensure societies and nations preparedness in case of prevalence, facilitate reaction to disasters that occur and help societies, individuals and countries recover quickly following disaster activities. Most of these disasters require a joint and collaborative attempt among the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Military, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), among other collaborators all through response and restoration. As stated by Carter (2008) a recurring challenge in the course of response organizations is coordinating the different and various activities undertaken by them. However, effective disaster management and coordination in Ghana is hampered by resources constraints, improper communication and information flow, differences in organizational structure and design, divergent perception and views, politics, and absence of technical capacity.
Prior research however shows that, institutions have not focused on effective coordination and collaboration among disaster management organizations.( Noran, 2014; Cheema, Mehmood, & Imran, 2016).Other studies have focused on challenges and issues in disaster management (Chong & Kamarudin, 2017; Kapucu, 2012).This notwithstanding, studies on disaster management in Ghana have centered on the different types of disaster and their effects on the socio economic improvement of the country. These studies have focused on floods (Osei, 2013; Gyireh & Nunbogu,2015; Asumadu-Sarkodie, Owusu Phebe, & Jayaweera Herath M P, 2015), fires(Addai, Tulashie, Annan, & Yeboah, 2016).Comparatively, few studies have paid attention to aspects of the disaster management cycle.(Baidoo, 2018). As a result, this research seeks to bridge the gap in literature by examining the effectiveness of disaster management and coordination in Ghana.
Research Objectives.
The objective of the study looks at the motive of the research and in this instance the studies seeks to examine the effectiveness of disaster management and coordination in Ghana. Other specific targets include;
- To identify the roles of the various response institutions in disaster management
- To examine the coordination mechanism of disaster management in Ghana.
- To highlight coordination challenges of these institutions in disaster management.
- To suggest ways of improving collaboration and coordination among response institutions for effective disaster management.
