LocationsGhana Moves to Finalize National Disaster Risk Finance Strategy
October 27, 2025
Cross section of participants at the IRFF workshop
Ghana has taken a significant step toward strengthening its resilience to disasters with a validation of the National Disaster Risk Management and Risk Finance Strategy Framework. The validation workshop, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), in partnership with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the National Insurance Commission (NIC) and other key stakeholders, marked a crucial milestone in advancing the country’s disaster preparedness and financial protection systems.
The session convened representatives from government ministries, the insurance industry, academia, civil society, and advocates for gender and disability inclusion to ensure the strategy is inclusive, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities. The participatory approach adopted throughout the process underscores Ghana’s commitment to developing policies that protect lives, livelihoods, and development investments from the growing threat of climate-related disasters.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate Cluster at UNDP Ghana, underscored that the strategy represents a shift toward a people-centered approach to disaster preparedness and resilience. He explained that the framework goes beyond technical models and policies, focusing instead on protecting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable Ghanaians.
“This framework goes beyond policies and models, it is about protecting lives and livelihoods; by integrating disaster risk finance within national development planning, Ghana is taking a proactive step to strengthen fiscal stability and safeguard communities against future shocks. UNDP Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to supporting NADMO’s transition from reactive disaster response to proactive risk management. Through the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility, this partnership is helping the government to design and implement financial instruments that ensure timely access to resources when disasters strike. The strategy aligns with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while remaining firmly grounded in Ghana’s national development priorities.”
Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate Cluster at UNDP Ghana, delivering his remark at the workshop.
Professor Sumaila Asaah Mohammed, the lead consultant for the framework, presented the rationale behind Ghana’s approach to disaster risk finance. He highlighted the importance of timely emergency funding, protecting national budgets from fiscal shocks, and promoting inclusive financial mechanisms that benefit women, youth, persons with disabilities.
“We are working to ensure that disaster risk financing becomes an integral part of national budgeting and planning, not an afterthought,” he noted.
Professor Sumaila Asaah Mohammed, the lead consultant for the framework, presenting on some key points.
Participants at the workshop reviewed the draft strategy, provided valuable feedback, and explored practical solutions for effective implementation. Discussions focused on the need for coordination across institutions, increased public awareness, and stronger engagement with the private sector to expand risk transfer mechanisms such as insurance and contingency funds. The workshop also highlighted opportunities for innovation through parametric insurance and other financial instruments that can deliver faster and more predictable disaster response funding. Participants discussed current gaps in disaster financing and explored innovative solutions to strengthen Ghana’s preparedness and resilience.
UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) continues to play a key role in supporting Ghana’s efforts to integrate insurance and risk finance into broader climate and disaster resilience strategies. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with NADMO, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Insurance Commission (NIC), forms part of UNDP’s global effort to help countries reduce vulnerability and strengthen adaptive capacities in the face of increasing climate and disaster risks as it transitions into a proactive institution focused on anticipating risks and building resilience, rather than merely responding to emergencies.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among all stakeholders to finalize and adopt the National Disaster Risk Management and Risk Finance Strategy Framework. Once operational, the strategy will serve as a blueprint for mobilizing resources, protecting national budgets, and ensuring that no Ghanaian is left behind in the country’s journey toward resilience and sustainable development.