The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), has collaborated with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to conduct a simulation exercise aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and risk management.

This initiative was part of a week-long workshop held in the Central Region to sharpen the skills of stakeholders in the disaster management chain.

The workshop saw NADMO conduct a 21-day simulation exercise involving Planning Officers from the Assemblies, NADMO officers, the National Ambulance Service, the Ghana Health Service, the National Insurance Commission, Civil Society Organizations, the Ghana Health Insurance (GHS), the Ghana Meteorological Agency, and the Ghana National Fire Service.

The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance the preparedness of stakeholders from the Klottey Korle Municipal Assembly and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.

Participants were divided into two groups to identify simulation indexes that would trigger a payout and test resource mobilization to establish Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs). 

The workshop also included literature reviews and detailed steps for running successful simulation exercises.

Dr. Eric Twum, a consultant, guided participants through relevant components and response structures highlighted in the contingency plan document. During the simulation workshop, Mr. Richard Amo Yartey, Director of Inspectorate at NADMO, emphasized the importance of EOCs. Mr. Yartey explained the structure of EOCs, which includes the Director General, the head of response, DDCOPs, directors of operations, relevant agencies, the communication units, regional EOCs, and district EOCs.

At the district level, the Chief Executive Officer chairs the committee, with the NADMO officer serving as the Secretary and advisor on disaster risk management. 

He clarified that NADMO officers are not rapporteurs on the committee.

He stressed that EOCs are essential at national, regional, district, and community levels, and these committees are expected to meet every three months to assess their preparedness for emergencies. 

Currently, NADMO operates ten EOCs in the ten old regions, with eleven pilot centers across the country.

Mr. Yartey highlighted that Section 2 of the NADMO Act mandates the development of community capacities to respond effectively to disasters, while Section 3 requires NADMO to organize simulation exercises for disaster preparedness.

 These exercises, lasting between four to eight hours, are designed to be as realistic as possible.

They help identify capacity and operational gaps, promote cooperation, enhance efficiency, and develop disaster management and contingency plans for various emergency types.

Mr. Frank Aggrey, the main facilitator of the programme, guided participants through literature and steps needed to run a successful simulation exercise. The workshop aimed to improve the preparedness of stakeholders from the Klottey Korle Municipal Assembly and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).

Miss Amina Sammo, the UNDP’s IRFF Representative, remarked, “ the exercise represents a significant step forward in our collective journey towards resilience. The Contingency plan developed is a key component of our strategy to mitigate the impacts of disasters. By integrating insurance and risk finance mechanisms within our planning structure, we are ensuring that we have the necessary capacities, capabilities, tools, and resources to respond swiftly and effectively when disasters occur.”

She further noted that participating in this exercise helps test plans, communication channels, and coordination mechanisms, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing overall disaster response capabilities. This proactive approach is crucial in minimizing the impact of disasters and accelerating recovery efforts