Ekumfi Attakwaa (C/R), Oct. 22, GNA-The Mfantseman Municipal Assembly has launched a Disaster Fund to mobilize resources for awareness creation and management of disasters in the Municipality. Mr. Henry Kwaku Hayfron, Municipal Chief Executive, who launched the fund at Ekumfi Attakwaa explained that this year's rains exposed many communities in the municipality as disaster prone areas. He said since the government alone could not adequately cater for disaster victims, there was the need to mobilize resources from organizations, identifiable groups and individuals to support government's efforts.

Mr. Hayfron advised the people to adopt preventive measures to protect their property but not to wait for disaster to occur before seeking assistance which might not be enough. On behalf of the Assembly, the MCE pledged 1,000 Ghana Cedis as seed money for the fund. The launch coincided with the celebration of the World Disaster Reduction Day in the Municipality under the theme: "Hospitals safe from Disasters". Mr Samuel Adabo, Municipal Fire Officer, cautioned against keeping gas cylinders in living rooms and places which were not well ventilated and also on placing lighted candles and mosquito coils on materials which could easily catch ire. He advised parents to educate their children and househelps on how light up gas stoves to prevent domestic fire outbreaks. Mr Francis Ejaaku Donkoh, Chairman of the Assembly's Disaster Management Committee, appealed to Metropolitan,Municipal and District Assemblies, the Ghana Health Service and organizations to provide public facilities with fire extinguishers. He urged the people to avoid overloading their sockets. Mr Patrick Awuku Owusu, Municipal Meteorological Agency Manager, urged farmers and fishermen to seek advise from the agency on when to sow and when to fish. Mr Tony Joe Arkorful, Acting Central Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, called for the formation of Disaster Clubs in basic schools and Senior High Schools to help in creating awareness on disasters. 22 Oct.09