Churches in the Keta Municipality are stepping up efforts to protect lives and property after a major disaster preparedness training organised by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Following the engagement, religious leaders have committed to implementing practical safety measures within their congregations and surrounding communities, marking a shift toward faith-based institutions playing a frontline role in disaster response.
The training, held at the Municipal Assembly Hall, equipped about 30 church leaders with knowledge on fire prevention, flood control, and emergency response. Participants agreed to adopt key interventions, including installing fire extinguishers, maintaining first aid kits, and forming volunteer emergency response teams within their churches.
They also pledged to intensify public education among members and organise regular clean-up exercises—particularly clearing choked gutters—to reduce flooding risks in vulnerable areas.
Officials from NADMO emphasized that churches are critical partners in disaster risk reduction due to their strong community presence and influence. The initiative comes amid warnings from the Ghana Meteorological Agency about possible thunderstorms, heavy rains, and windstorms in the coming months.
Deputy Municipal Director for Operations, Onegod Kwashie Dzotefe, urged participants to move beyond discussions and implement the agreed measures, stressing that real impact would depend on action at the community level.
NADMO representatives also highlighted the importance of using certified electricians for all installations in church buildings to prevent fire outbreaks—one of the common risks identified during the session.
The engagement forms part of a broader strategy to deepen collaboration between disaster management authorities and local institutions, with churches now positioned as key actors in building resilient communities across the municipality.
Participants described the training as timely and practical, expressing readiness to translate the knowledge gained into concrete actions that will improve safety across their congregations and neighborhoods.
