The Ghana Red Cross Society in collaboration with NADMO has trained 180 Disaster Risk Reduction Volunteers, in the former Brong Ahafo Region. Eighteen Districts presented 10 participants each for the training.
Speaking to GBC’s Radio Ghana on the sidelines of the exercise at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region, the Regional Manager of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Solomon Gayoni, said the training is part of efforts to make vulnerable and disaster prone communities more resilient and ready to mitigate and manage disasters when they occur.
He observed that many lives and property will be saved if Ghanaians develop good disaster management practices, rather than relying on meager relief packages.
The Ghana Red Cross Society is a volunteer organisation which provides humanitarian services. The Society is moving from relying on relief support when mishaps occur to Disaster Risk Reduction for effective socio-economic development of the country.
The Society with support from NADMO organises training sessions for volunteers and NADMO representatives across the country.
In the Brong Ahafo Region, 10 volunteers each were selected and trained from 18 disaster prone and border districts including Dormaa, Berekum and Pru.
The Regional Manager of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Solomon Gayoni said the exercise is aimed to not only to build the capacity of volunteers to resist and respond effectively to disaster and emergency situations but also to prevent for such mishaps.
Mr. Gayoni attributed the recent spate of disasters to negligence and indiscipline on the part of Ghanaians in carrying out Civic responsibilities. He urged citizens to be alive to their Civic responsibilities to supplement Government’s efforts to protect the environment.
He mentioned lack of adequate resources as a challenge weighing on the Ghana Red Cross Society and called on stakeholders and benevolent individuals, to go to their aid to enable the Red Cross reach out to the more vulnerable in society.
