By Ishmael Junourgh 
The Upper West Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr. Osman Abdul-Latif Sinsew, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to disaster prevention and emergency response, highlighting flooding, bushfires, and drowning incidents as some of the major hazards confronting communities across the region.
Speaking on the mandate of the organisation, Mr. Sinsew explained that NADMO’s primary responsibility is to prevent disasters and minimise their impact on lives and property. However, when disasters cannot be prevented, the organisation shifts its focus to relief and recovery interventions for affected victims.
According to the Regional Director, seasonal flooding remains one of the most persistent disasters in the Upper West Region, particularly during the rainy season. Communities within the Wa Municipality frequently experience flooding, while areas along the Black Volta also record periodic floods that destroy farms and threaten livelihoods.
He attributed much of the flooding to human activities, especially poor waste management practices. He noted that indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains and waterways obstructs the natural flow of water, causing floodwaters to overflow into residential areas.
“When people block the natural pathways of water with waste, the water will inevitably find another route, and unfortunately that route may be through their homes,” he cautioned.
Mr. Sinsew also recounted one of the most tragic incidents during his tenure. Barely two months after assuming office, seven students of Lawra Senior High School drowned in the Dikpe River, a tributary of the Black Volta, during what was described as an adventure outing.
He explained that the canoe transporting the students was reportedly being paddled by an inexperienced young boy, a situation he described as highly inappropriate and avoidable. The incident, he said, was emotionally devastating, particularly because it occurred shortly after he assumed office.
A coordinated rescue operation involving emergency personnel was mounted to recover the bodies of the deceased students from the Dikpe River in the Lawra enclave of the Upper West Region.
Following the tragedy, NADMO intensified public education on water safety across vulnerable communities. The organisation also distributed life jackets and recruited a swimming instructor to train residents, particularly young people, who wish to acquire swimming skills as part of efforts to prevent similar incidents.
Bushfires, Mr. Sinsew noted, remain another recurring disaster in the region. Every year, several acres of farmland are destroyed, with maize and rice farms among the most affected. These fires often wipe out harvests, undermining food security and the livelihoods of farming households.
To reduce the occurrence of such disasters, NADMO has strengthened its public awareness campaigns, educating communities on disaster prevention measures, responsible environmental practices, and safe behaviours during emergencies.
The Regional Director, however, observed that public misconceptions continue to pose challenges to disaster management. He explained that some previous beneficiaries of relief assistance wrongly believe that relief items should be distributed to them annually, even long after the disaster that affected them has passed.
He stressed that relief support is intended for verified victims of specific disasters and is not a recurring entitlement.
Despite its efforts, Mr. Sinsew acknowledged that NADMO continues to face operational challenges. These include inadequate logistics for field assessments and data collection, as well as the reluctance of some disaster victims to provide accurate information during damage assessments. He called for stronger collaboration between communities, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders to improve disaster preparedness and ensure timely and effective responses whenever emergencies occur.
Mudas