Ghana Mission visit Tokyo for Disaster Risk Reduction Workshop on 28-31 January 2020

During the workshop, arranged by the British Embassy, the six members of the Ghana delegation were able to exchange expert level analysis with a number of Japanese Ministries, Agencies and Civil Society organisations (i) on the current state and challenges of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Ghana and Japan.

Led by Hon. Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, Director-General of the Ghana National Disaster Management Organisation, the delegation was made up of officials from the Ghana Ministry of National Security, the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre, and the Ghana Armed Forces (ii).

In addition to exchanging best practice, the workshop explored possibilities for developing future cooperation in support of efforts to build disaster resilient societies in Africa. This was a key pledge by Japan during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 7 in August 2019. It also complements UK and Japanese efforts to partner African countries to meet the challenges they face.

Hon. Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh observed that while Ghana had DRR policies and legislation in place, the challenge was implementation. He looked forward to further partnership with Japan to build capacity in Ghana to prepare for and respond to disasters. Japanese interlocutors meanwhile expressed their wish to strengthen Japan-Ghana cooperation on DRR. The Ghana delegation was grateful to Japanese counterparts for sharing their experience and expertise.

The delegation held detailed sessions with the Office of Disaster Management in the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the Ministry of Defense, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Japan Voluntary Organisations Active in Disaster.

The Ghana Delegation Members were Hon. Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, Director-General, NADMO; Mr Richard Odei Appiah, Ministry of National Security; LtCol Frank Cofie Adzasu, LtCol Emmanuel Kojo Appiah and Maj Blessed-Mary Quashigah of Ghana Armed Forces and LtCol Reuben Dela Klutse of KAIPTC.

i) The delegation held detailed sessions with the Office of Disaster Management in the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the Ministry of Defense, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Japan Voluntary Organisations Active in Disaster.

ii) The Ghana Delegation Members were Hon. Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, Director-General, NADMO; Mr Richard Odei Appiah, Ministry of National Security; LtCol Frank Cofie Adzasu, LtCol Emmanuel Kojo Appiah and Maj Blessed-Mary Quashigah of Ghana Armed Forces and LtCol Reuben Dela Klutse of KAIPTC.