The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has called on Municipal and District Assemblies across the region to go beyond rhetoric and embrace concrete, proactive strategies to strengthen disaster preparedness and environmental resilience.

He made the call on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, during a high-level workshop on the Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) held at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) Conference Hall in Ho.

The event convened key stakeholders, including representatives from the Volta River Authority (VRA), Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs), Coordinating Directors, Heads of Decentralised Departments, NADMO officials, and members of the Regional Disaster Management Committee.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr Gunu underscored the urgent need for coordinated and forward-thinking action in the face of increasingly frequent and complex disasters.

“We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive, planning meticulously for any eventuality,” he emphasised. “Floods, storms, and environmental degradation are no longer occasional threats — they are growing realities requiring systemic planning and timely local action.”

He described the Emergency Preparedness Plan as a vital blueprint outlining clear roles, communication protocols, and resource mobilisation strategies during emergencies.

“A well-developed and regularly reviewed plan can mean the difference between chaos and order, between significant loss and minimised impact. It saves lives and protects livelihoods,” he noted.

The Minister urged local authorities to treat preparedness plans as dynamic tools tailored to their specific contexts, not just tick-box exercises for compliance.

Turning to environmental issues, Mr Gunu warned that poor practices — including deforestation, illegal mining, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, and unsustainable land use — continue to amplify the impacts of natural disasters.

“Our environment is both our greatest asset and, if mismanaged, a source of major risk,” he cautioned. “By embracing effective environmental management, we are not just preserving nature; we are also strengthening our ability to withstand disasters.”

He called on Assemblies to integrate environmental safeguards into their development agendas, stressing that sustainable development and disaster risk reduction must go hand in hand. While acknowledging progress, the Minister challenged participants to shift from policy formulation to concrete implementation.

“Let us not merely discuss plans on paper, but brainstorm practical steps for execution, monitoring, and regular review,” he charged.

Mr Gunu also applauded the involvement of agencies like NADMO and the VRA, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration.

“Disaster preparedness and environmental management cannot be siloed efforts. They demand joint ownership and sustained engagement from all actors,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Volta Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to supporting Assemblies through capacity building, strategic coordination, and resource facilitation.

“The VRCC is ready to assist you. We understand the challenges you face, and we will do all we can within our mandate to support your efforts,” he assured.

Mr Gunu closed his remarks with a call to action: “Let this workshop ignite a renewed sense of urgency and shared responsibility. Let us work together to make the Volta Region a benchmark of climate resilience and sustainable development.”

The workshop is expected to conclude with concrete resolutions, timelines for district-level plan reviews, and reinforced partnerships between regional institutions and local governments.