The impact of natural disasters on development : an assessment of the role and functions of the national disaster management organization (NADMO): a case study of the Nawuni and Buipe communities, northern region of Ghana

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to examine the impact of natural disasters on development through a study of the role and functions of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Ghana. Such a study has become necessary because currently natural disasters have gained international attention due to its impact on economic development. A key reflection on the causes, effects and vulnerability of individuals to natural disasters shows an interesting linkage between environmental, developmental and managerial failures. For instance, it has been continually emphasised that natural disasters are failures of development because economic development policies have not fully given consideration to disaster possibilities. A key argument of this study is that an over emphasis on the traditional methods of disaster management, namely relief and rescue responses, by NADMO reduces local capacities to manage effectively the challenge that current disasters such as floods present to local communities. The contention of this study is that there is a need for a paradigm shift from relief responses to disaster risk reduction through Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) which seeks to build local capacities and disaster resilient communities for development.