The occurrence of disasters is an age-long phenomenon but as a people we need to control and manage artificial disasters that we cause and wreak havoc and destruction to the environment.
Mr. Kwadwo Osei-Asibey, Sunyani West District Chief Executive, said this at Kobedi, a farming community, during the celebration of World Disaster Day.
He said in a speech read for him that bye laws against bush burning would be strictly enforced and warned that culprits, including hunters and cigarette smokers who would be caught engaged in the practice would not be spared.
Mr. Osei-Asibey said "we cannot do much about natural disasters but at least we have the capability to stem artificial disasters like pollution, bushfires and littering that adversely affect humankind by adopting meticulous lifestyles".
He appealed to the people to form fire volunteer squads to fight fire outbreaks and to organise regular communal labour to clear surroundings.
Mr. Osei-Asibey said it was not the sole responsibility of the National Disaster Management (NADMO) to prevent and manage disasters and asked other stakeholders including traditional authorities to continue to educate the people on the need to prevent disasters.
"The district assembly is prepared to help disaster prevention in terms of provision of logistics", he said.
Barima Minta Afari, Chief of Chiraa and Benkumhene of Dormaa Traditional Area, called on relevant agencies to avoid approving putting up structures in water ways.
The chief called for re-shaping of the main road from Sunyani through Chiraa to Techiman, as the gaping pot-holes and curves on it had contributed to accidents.
Nana Yeboaa Pene, Queenmother of Chiraa and Benkumhemaa of Dormaa Traditional Area, advised the women to ensure that children they sent on errands to dispose of household waste did so at the appropriate disposal sites.
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