Floods and their devastating effects can be mitigated if only people take responsibility for their own actions.

That’s according to the Head of Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s Centre for Settlements Studies.

Dr. Divine Ahadzie acknowledges structural measures are critical addressing the phenomenon.

He, however, indicates that non-structural measures would determine how well a nation can surmount the worst of flood hazards.

“We need to raise awareness on the equal importance of non-structural measures such as social responsibility and a sense of community resilience in flood risk management in the country,” he noted.

Dr. Ahadzie spoke at a workshop on flood risk management for personnel of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in Kumasi.

The workshop comes on the back of revelation that over 80 percent of NADMO staff are untrained in disaster management.

 Facilitators will take participants through what officials describe as evidence-based data.

Course models are a culmination of flood risk management research undertaken by KNUST Centre for Settlement Studies over the years.

Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, Prof.  John Bugri is Dean of KNUST Faculty of Built Environment says the training is necessary as the population grows and particularly climate change takes a toll on the national Economy.

“We are looking at how communities can build their own data so that they can do the simple things which can help them mitigate the worst effects of flooding,” he said.

Prof Bugri announced a 10,000 US dollar grant for further research.

The Centre for Settlement Studies expects participants to be involved in community engagements after the course.