The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and with funding from the European Union, has strengthened Ghana’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity through the provision of modern equipment and targeted training. The support aims to improve how the country responds to floods, wildfires, and other climate-related emergencies that increasingly threaten communities across different regions.
As part of the initiative, NADMO received surveillance drones, digital devices such as tablets and laptops, communication tools, printers, and a 20-kilowatt backup power system. These resources will enhance Emergency Operations Centres in the Upper East, Upper West, and Greater Accra regions, improving real-time coordination, data management, and response efficiency during disasters. The new equipment is designed to help responders monitor affected areas more effectively and maintain operations even during power outages, which are common during major emergencies.
The initiative also included an intensive training programme for NADMO personnel, focusing on emergency preparedness, contingency planning, data handling, and psychosocial support for disaster-affected populations. Officials say the combination of skills development and new technology significantly strengthens Ghana’s ability to manage increasingly complex and overlapping disaster risks.
Ghana is currently facing growing climate-related challenges, including irregular rainfall, flooding in coastal and riverine areas, land degradation in the north, and displacement linked to both environmental and social pressures. These factors have made disaster response more demanding, requiring stronger coordination and more resilient systems at the national and regional levels.
Authorities emphasized that tools such as drones will allow faster situational awareness during emergencies, while backup power systems ensure that coordination centers remain operational when infrastructure fails. IOM noted that beyond immediate response improvements, the partnership also aims to address the root causes of displacement, including climate stress and declining livelihoods.
The initiative is part of the broader “ATUU” project on migration governance, funded by the European Union, which will continue expanding support to additional districts in Ghana to strengthen local disaster preparedness and ensure more inclusive and effective emergency response systems nationwide.
