The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has been advised to focus on research and planning rather than managing disaster in the country.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate hopeful for the Akwatia Constituency, Ernest Nana Yaw Kumi has indicated that research and planning is the only way to solve the perennial flooding in the Greater Accra region.

He made this statement in an interview on Happy 98.9 FM’s ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ with Samuel Eshun, who sat in for Afrifa-Mensah. “NADMO is doing good work in managing disaster in the country but it is time we become proactive and nip perennial flooding in the bud by focusing on planning and research.”

Ernest advised NADMO to work with the town and country planning agencies to plan and map out our cities so well that flood-prone areas do not suffer any floods. “And even if they do, it should be minimal with no destruction of property and loss of life.”

The politician emphasized that the cost of planning and research is far cheaper compared to the aftermath of floods and their management.

Acknowledging the fact that the state has a responsibility to ensure the country and cities do not suffer flooding, he also pressed on citizens to also ensure proper disposal of waste and other measures to prevent flooding. “I will not shy away from saying the state has a responsibility to prevent flooding but it falls on us as individuals to make sure things move in the right direction and prevent flooding. The politician is not the only one who can effect change.”

To him, the reorientation of Ghanaians and the change of “our” mindset coupled with the amendment of laws for a societal building is the way to go in making sure Ghanaians do the needful.