LocationsGhana Marks 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Call to Fund Resilience, Not Disasters
October 21, 2025
Group picture of Stakeholders at the commemoration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
As climate-related disasters intensify and their economic toll deepens, the call to invest in resilience has never been more urgent. In efforts to promote disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, Ghana joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), under the theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters.” The national observance reinforced the importance of shifting from reactive disaster response to proactive, long-term investments that protect lives, livelihoods, and national development gains.
This year’s commemoration, led by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility , brought together key stakeholders, including government institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society, to explore innovative pathways for financing resilience through dialogue, advocacy, and partnerships and a shift from costly disaster response efforts to proactive, long-term investments that protect lives, livelihoods, and national development gains.
The commemoration brought together key government institutions, development partners, and stakeholders from the private sector and civil society to explore strategies for financing resilience through dialogue, advocacy, and partnerships.
Representing the Government of Ghana, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for Interior, underscored the importance of mainstreaming resilience into national planning and investment priority frameworks.
“This year’s theme: ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters’, calls on us to rethink how we allocate our resources and set our priorities. Investing in resilience means financing flood-resilient infrastructure, supporting climate-smart agriculture to secure our food systems, and strengthening institutional capacities. As we mark this important day, let us renew our commitment to building a Ghana that can anticipate, withstand, and recover from disasters without losing its stride toward inclusive and sustainable development,” he said.
Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for Interior,delivering his remarks at the commemoration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Amina Sammo, National Coordinator of the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), reaffirmed UNDP’s partnership with the Government of Ghana in strengthening disaster risk financing systems and protecting development gains.
“Through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), UNDPGhana is developing a Disaster Risk Finance Strategy Framework, advancing a parametric flood insurance solution for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, and promoting inclusive insurance access for small businesses, farmers, and informal workers. We commend NADMO, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Insurance Commission for their leadership. Together, let this year’s commemoration serve as a collective call to action to fund resilience, not disasters, and secure Ghana’s sustainable future,” she noted.
Amina Sammo, National Coordinator Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), giving her remarks at the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
In his remarks, Major (Rtd.) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, Director-General of NADMO, highlighted the collective responsibility required to reduce disaster risk and strengthen resilience across all sectors.
“As we mark this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to act decisively. Disaster risk reduction is not NADMO’s task alone; it is a national duty that demands collective action. Let us build a future where resilience is planned, not pleaded for; where we act early, recover stronger, and truly fund resilience, not disasters,” he stated.
Major (Rtd.) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, Director-General NADMO,giving his speech at the commemoration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Through sustained collaboration between government, development partners, and communities, Ghana is making strides in strengthening disaster preparedness, financing financing resilience and safeguarding development outcomes. These collective efforts reflect the spirit of this year’s IDDRR theme: investing today to safeguard tomorrow, ensuring that resilience is built by design, not by disaster.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), observed annually on 13 October, celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, the day aims to raise awareness about the importance of risk-informed investments and proactive disaster risk management as critical pathways to sustainable development.
Related
content
content
