The very agency mandated to respond to disasters in Ghana’s Western Region is facing a crisis of its own—within its walls.
Staff of the Western Regional Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are sounding the alarm over their deteriorating office building, describing the structure as a looming hazard that undermines their ability to protect others.
The building, which houses the region’s disaster response coordination, is visibly falling apart. Deep structural cracks run along the walls, the ceiling is on the verge of collapse, and the entire premises are prone to flooding anytime it rains. Workers say the state of disrepair not only compromises their safety but also disrupts vital emergency operations.
Ironically, those tasked with shielding the public from calamities now find themselves vulnerable to structural failure.
Daniel Darlington Atitso, the newly appointed Western Regional NADMO Director, expressed frustration at the long-standing neglect of public infrastructure. “This is more than just a building issue,” he said. “It is symbolic of how we sometimes neglect institutions that play critical roles in our survival. This office must be a fortress—not a risk zone.”
He emphasised that one of his top priorities would be to lobby national authorities and stakeholders to expedite renovation efforts and secure adequate resources to restore the facility.
Mr. Atitso added, “We cannot manage disasters effectively when our own base is unsafe. It’s time to invest in the very institution that’s expected to respond when others are in distress.”
The call comes as NADMO continues to handle emergency cases across the region—from flooding to fire outbreaks. Staff worry that without urgent attention, the compromised building may soon become a disaster scene itself.
