About NADMO

The National Disaster Management Organisation coordinates disaster risk reduction, preparedness and emergency response in Ghana.

Our Mandate

NADMO was established by PNDC Law 927 (now Act 517 of 1996) to manage disasters and similar emergencies within Ghana. The organisation coordinates government and non-governmental efforts in disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

✓Coordinate and implement national disaster management policies
✓Provide early warning and public alerts for impending disasters
✓Mobilise resources for disaster relief and rehabilitation
✓Train volunteers and regional officers for rapid response
✓Maintain a national disaster management information system
✓Collaborate with UN agencies, NGOs and foreign partners

Vision & Mission

Our Motto"PREVENTION PAYS"

Vision

NADMO seeks to enhance the capacity of society to prevent and manage disasters and to improve the livelihood of the poor and vulnerable in rural communities through effective disaster management, social mobilisation and employment generation.

To manage disasters by co-ordinating the resources of government institutions and non-governmental agencies, and developing the capacity of communities to respond effectively to disasters and improve their livelihood through social mobilization, employment generation and poverty reduction projects.

Mission

To manage disasters by coordinating resources from government institutions and non-governmental agencies while building community capacity to respond effectively to disasters and enhance livelihoods through social mobilization, employment generation and poverty reduction projects.

Strategic Objectives

Enhancement of human and institutional capacity development

Promotion of Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change management through stakeholder platforms

Strengthening of disaster prevention and emergency response systems

Integration of disaster prevention programmes with national development plans and environmental initiatives

How We Deliver

✓Review National, Regional and District Disaster Management Plans for effective execution
✓Connect disaster programmes to national Poverty Reduction Strategy and reforestation efforts
✓Enhance staff and stakeholder capabilities in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Risk Management
✓Raise public awareness via media, education campaigns and training for community members
✓Deliver training and resources to volunteer groups for job creation and poverty alleviation
✓Reconstruct educational and social infrastructure damaged by fires, floods, storms and similar events

Our History

In the 1980s it was observed that the number of disasters and their impacts were increasing worldwide. This situation alarmed the United Nations, which held various conferences on the issue — leading to the UN Declaration GAD 44/236 of 1989, which proclaimed the 1990s as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).

This was followed by the Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction held in Yokohama, Japan in May 1994. The conference established the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) to replace the defunct IDNDR. The Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World and its Plan of Action mandated each country to establish a permanent disaster management organisation.

In response to this mandate, Ghana established the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) under Act 517 of 1996 — structured under the Ministry of the Interior to coordinate all relevant civil authorities at the national, regional and district levels.

1980s

Rising Global Disasters

A worldwide increase in the frequency and impact of natural disasters alarmed the international community, prompting the United Nations to convene conferences and develop a coordinated global response strategy.

1989

UN Declaration GAD 44/236 — IDNDR

The United Nations declared the 1990s the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) through Resolution GAD 44/236, calling on all member states to take decisive action on disaster risk.

1994

Yokohama Conference & ISDR

The World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction in Yokohama, Japan established the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and mandated every nation to create a permanent disaster management organisation.

1996

NADMO Established — Act 517

Ghana enacted Act 517 of 1996, formally establishing NADMO under the Ministry of the Interior with a mandate to manage disasters and similar emergencies. The organisation was structured with a National Secretariat, 10 Regional Secretariats and 243 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Secretariats.

2019

Expansion to 16 Regions

Following the creation of six new regions in Ghana, NADMO extended full coverage across all 16 regions, deepening its grassroots reach with Regional Directors and District offices in every part of the country.