The Keta Municipal Office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has hosted a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and NADMO Headquarters to train personnel on field data collection in flood-affected communities.

The training was aimed at equipping NADMO staff with the skills required for effective data gathering to support ongoing flood response interventions within the Municipality.

The delegation, made up of Mr Paa Kwasi, Madam Maame Akosua and Mr Franklyn Agyemang Badu, engaged participants in a comprehensive session on data collection techniques and assessment methods.

Mr Wonder Setsoafia Deynu, Keta Municipal Director of NADMO, said after the training, the team embarked on field visits to Aborlove-Nolopi, Anyako and Konu to assess the extent of flooding and interact with affected residents.

He said the delegation was unable to visit Seva, one of the affected communities, because the road linking Konu to the area had been completely cut off by floodwaters.

He said that underscored the gravity of the disaster in the Municipality.

He explained that during the field engagements, the team met community leaders, including Mr Simon Awadzi, Assembly Member for Aborlove-Nolopi, who briefed the delegation on the challenges residents continued to face due to the floods.

The delegation also held discussions with Mr Bonodi, former Assembly Member and former Presiding Member of the Keta Municipal Assembly, who shared insights into the historical and current impact of flooding on the area.

“During our training tour, our team also engaged with women’s groups, schoolchildren, and fishermen at Anyako, we gathered first-hand accounts of how the flooding has disrupted livelihoods, education, and daily life within the community.”

Mr Deynu commended Mr Eric Kwaku Dormenyeku, a NADMO volunteer at Anyako, for supporting the delegation during the community engagements and facilitating interactions with residents.

He said the data collection exercise formed part of a broader collaboration between NADMO, UNICEF and WHO to obtain accurate and timely information to guide humanitarian assistance and other interventions in affected communities.

NADMO expressed appreciation to community leaders, residents and all stakeholders for their cooperation and support throughout the training and field assessment exercise.

The Keta Municipal NADMO Office reaffirmed its commitment to working with development partners and community stakeholders to address the flood situation, while efforts continued to reach inaccessible communities such as Seva and provide the required relief support.

Mr Paa Kwasi and Madam Maame Akosua of UNICEF and WHO respectively, expressed satisfaction with the exercise and encouraged NADMO personnel to sustain community engagement efforts.

They said the training was intended to strengthen the capacity of NADMO officers to conduct data-driven assessments and support the delivery of relief items to flood victims across the affected communities.