The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Fanteakwa South District has begun a public awareness campaign across major market centres to prepare residents for the approaching rainy season.
The outreach is designed to minimise disaster risks by educating traders and community members on environmental behaviours that contribute to flooding, fires, and disease outbreaks during heavy rains.
Focus on Bushfire Prevention
As part of the exercise, NADMO cautioned residents against indiscriminate burning, noting that bushfires destroy vegetation, farmlands, and property while increasing the likelihood of disasters.
Officials stressed that preventing bushfires is a shared responsibility and urged communities to adopt safer environmental practices.
Tree Planting and Environmental Protection
The campaign also promoted tree planting within communities. According to NADMO, increasing vegetation cover helps prevent soil erosion, protects the ecosystem, and supports climate sustainability.
Residents were encouraged to actively participate in local tree-planting initiatives to strengthen environmental resilience ahead of the rainy season.
Proper Waste Disposal to Prevent Flooding
Another major concern highlighted was poor sanitation, particularly dumping waste in drains and gutters around markets. NADMO warned that such practices block waterways, leading to flooding and sanitation-related diseases.
Traders were advised to maintain clean trading spaces and support collective waste management efforts.
Call for Community Cooperation
Speaking during the market sensitisation exercise, Deputy District Director of NADMO, John Kwame Narh, emphasised that markets remain high-risk areas due to heavy human activity.
He noted that most disasters recorded in the district are preventable and urged residents to take personal responsibility by avoiding bush burning, planting trees, and managing waste properly.
NADMO further appealed to market women, traders’ groups, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders to collaborate with the organisation to protect lives and property before and during the rainy season.
