MP Wants African Disaster Management Commission

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - Reflecting on recent flood disasters in Mozambique and Madagascar, a Ghanaian parliamentarian Thursday urged the OAU to urgently establish a Disaster Management Commission where African countries would pool talents and resources for their communal good.

Hackman Owusu-Agyemang cited that the tragic situations of Mozambique and Madagascar have exposed the un-preparedness of disaster management by Africa.

"In spite of weather forecasts which predicted the natural disaster, the continent seems to have been caught most unprepared for it," he said in a statement.

"It is an unfortunate development that while African countries are quick to rally to opposing sides in civil conflicts or to engage in conflict resolution operations both of which are man-made, it seems most ill-prepared for an emergency over which mankind has no control," Owusu-Agyemang added.

He, therefore, called on the OAU to seriously consider as, a matter of urgency, the establishment and functioning of a disaster management commission for the common good of the continent considering its limited resources.

"This is the only way to ensure that Africa is not caught by surprise next time and watches with arms folded as the West rushes to the aid of our compatriots in distress from a natural disaster," he said.