Establishing early warning and response center crucial for the country – Charles Owiredu

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Charles Owiredu has proclaimed the essence of the country to have an early warning and response center, an initiative by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which would be set up in the country soon.

He made the statement at the sensitization workshop on the establishment of the early warning and response mechanism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

According to him, the center will serve as a tool for early detection and prevention of incidents that will pose a threat to human security in the region.

“It’s an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment and preparedness activities, systems and processes that enables individuals, communities, governments, businesses, and others to take timely action to reduce disaster risk in advance of hazardous events,” he said.

“It’s evident that prevention and timely responsive action in advance of and immediately after crises cannot be over emphasized. Establishing national early warning and response centers has become very crucial,” he added.

He also mentioned that creating the center will increase communication between Ghana and other West African countries on dealing with catastrophes that affect the region.

“With the establishment of national centers, ECOWAS member states can share information to implement conflict prevention and manage crises, while protecting human security at the national and regional level,” he said.

Mr. Owiredu clarified that the center will notify and assist the government to act swiftly to manage a crises situation, hence it is very critical to the development of all West African countries.

“The center’s role is to warn the government of threat to human security, propose appropriate action, coordinate and ensure the implementation of response to the warning,” he concluded.