About NADMO
Since its establishment, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has experienced substantial change. The Organisation was established in 1996 after the UN Declaration, GAD 44/236 of 1989 which proclaimed the global need for disaster prevention. Act 517 established NADMO to manage disasters, coordinate emergency responses, and handle the rehabilitation and reconstruction of affected areas across national, regional, and district levels. Recognising the importance of disaster management and giving more role to the Organisation, the National Disaster Management Act, Act 927(2016) was enacted. The Act mandated the Organisation to manage disasters and similar emergencies and develop the capacity of communities to respond to disasters. The new Act therefore repealed and replaced Act 517 to empower the Organisation to manage disasters through data driven decision making and planning. Currently, the Organisation operates at a national office, 16 regional offices, 261 district offices and over 900 zonal offices.
Our Mandate
To manage disasters and similar emergencies and to develop the capacity of communities to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies.
Vision & Mission
Vision
Building a disaster resilient Ghana.
Mission
To manage disasters by coordinating resources from government institutions and non-governmental agencies, develop the capacity of communities to respond effectively to emergencies and improve livelihood through social mobilization, and poverty reduction initiatives.
Strategic Objectives
Under the National Disaster Management Act, Act 927(2016), the functions of the Organisation are:
Implementation of government, international, national and regional policies on disaster prevention, disaster risk reduction and climate risk management
Preparing, coordinating, monitoring and updating disaster management plans
Advising government disaster and emergency prevention rules and regulations
Stockpiling, managing, coordinating and supervising the distribution of relief items
Organising and equipping Disaster Volunteer Groups to enhance their skills in disaster management and income generation
Ensuring the operational preparedness of disaster management committees in vulnerable and risk prone areas
Coordinating response and reconstruction efforts of local and foreign collaborators cooperating with other countries and relevant institutions
Cooperating with other countries and relevant institutions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Organisational Reach Today
National Secretariat
Regional Secretariats
MMD Secretariats
Zonal Offices Nationwide
Collaborating Agencies
A good working relation has been established by NADMO with various collaborative and stakeholder agencies. This has enhanced resource mobilization for the Organisation's response efforts. These agencies include:
- ✓Government Institutions (MDAs)
- ✓MMDAs
- ✓Military and other Security Agencies
- ✓NGOs (Local & International)
- ✓Ghana Red Cross Society
- ✓Donors (Bilateral & Multilateral)
- ✓UN Agencies
- ✓Private Institutions & Philanthropists
- ✓Traditional Authorities
- ✓The Private Sector
- ✓The Media
Leadership & Governance
View Full Leadership →Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon
Administrative and operational head of NADMO
Hon. Samuel Atta Mills
Governing Council Chairman
Hajia Dr. Lutfia Saeed Jamal
Deputy Director-General — Finance & Administration
Hon. Teddy Addi Safori
Deputy Director-General — Operations