The Ho Municipal Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has joined global partners to mark the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) with a call to “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.”
The commemoration, led by Mr. Christian Youngs, the Ho Municipal Director of NADMO, and Mr. Stephen Adom, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ho, featuring a symbolic tree-planting exercise along the new cemetery road to highlight the importance of sustainable practices in reducing disaster risks.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Youngs said the theme underscored the urgent need for governments and development partners to prioritise funding for disaster prevention and climate adaptation. “Investing in resilience today will save lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods tomorrow,” he said.
He expressed concern that global disaster costs continue to rise, reaching an estimated $2.3 trillion annually, while funding for disaster risk reduction (DRR) remains below one percent of public budgets in Ghana. “We cannot continue reacting to disasters when we can prevent them,” he stressed.
Mr. Adom commended NADMO and its partners for their proactive efforts and urged both public and private institutions to align their development plans with risk reduction strategies.
“Our collective future depends on sustainable planning and resilience-building,” he said.
According to a United Nations report, disasters are becoming more frequent and expensive due to climate change and unplanned urbanisation. The report highlights that every dollar invested in making infrastructure resilient saves four dollars in future economic losses.
Mr. Youngs noted that the Ho Municipal Assembly was working to integrate disaster risk management into local development planning, including promoting early warning systems and community sensitisation programmes.
He appealed for stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector to build a disaster-resilient municipality. “We all have a role to play in protecting our environment and future generations,” he added.
The IDDRR, observed annually on October 13, provides an opportunity for nations to reflect on their progress under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and to strengthen collective action towards a safer and more resilient world.
GNA
