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Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Dr. George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, has called for urgent action on waste management, community values and early-warning systems to reduce the impact of natural disasters following last week’s severe flooding.
Speaking in an exclusive interviewwithAfrica Newsgh, Dr. Amoh acknowledged that some extreme weather events are “an act of God” and can overwhelm even advanced countries. At the same time, he emphasized that many consequences are avoidable through better human practices and planning. “We just have to reposition ourselves, look at areas we have not done well, look at how we can mitigate things like natural occurrences,” he said.
Key recommendations
Improve waste disposal and recycling: Dr. Amoh warned that improper domestic waste disposal contributes to blocked drains and worsened flooding. He urged a rethink of how households and communities dispose of refuse, noting that some countries have successfully adopted recycling and refinement systems.
Strengthen early-warning systems: The executive secretary stressed the need for proactive warning mechanisms beyond traditional peace-building contexts. “Early warning is not only restricted to peace building in health, in environment, we should articulate our early warning signs,” he said, adding that timely alerts would allow communities to prepare and reduce shocks to livelihoods.
Instill civic values and patriotism: Dr. Amoh argued that long-term change begins at home and in schools. He highlighted the role of parents and teachers in teaching children simple habits — such as not littering — that protect the environment. He also called on religious leaders to incorporate environmental stewardship into their teachings, saying communities must share responsibility regardless of faith.
Hold leadership accountable for mitigation and recovery: The speaker said the effectiveness of leaders is judged not just by their response to disasters but by mitigation and follow-up actions, including clearing debris and restoring watercourses promptly to reduce future risk.
Dr. Amoh expressed sympathy for those who lost property and loved ones in the flooding and encouraged collective action to support recovery. “We are each other’s keeper,” he said, urging Ghanaians to rally behind affected families and to see the crisis as an opportunity to build resilience.
Recent heavy rains triggered flooding in multiple parts of Ghana, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in urban drainage and waste management infrastructure. Experts say addressing the problem will require coordinated action across government agencies, local assemblies, civil society and faith-based organizations.
Dr. Amoh’s comments underscore the intersection between environmental management and social stability, framing improved waste practices, public education and early-warning capacity as essential to protecting livelihoods and peace.
