The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have begun a four-day capacity development training aimed at strengthening Ghana's capacity to finance and manage the financial risks associated with climate-related disasters, particularly flooding. Training Details

The training is being held from August 24 to 27, 2026, at the Capital View Hotel. It brings together representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), NADMO, the National Insurance Commission (NIC), the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA).

Dubbed the "UNDP Ghana Capacity Development Training on Disaster Risk Financing, Flood Risk Modelling, Technical Assistance Deployment and Payout Management," the programme is designed to strengthen institutional knowledge and practical capacity in disaster risk financing, risk modelling, and the management of financial protection mechanisms.

Finance Ministry: Flooding a Major Threat to Public Resources

Opening the training on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, Chief Economic Officer Richard Ofori Addo said the programme comes at a critical time as the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters continue to increase both globally and in Ghana.

He said flooding remains one of the major threats to lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and economic activity in the country, and that the financial consequences of such disasters place significant pressure on public resources.

Ofori Addo noted that disasters often create unplanned fiscal obligations for emergency response, recovery and reconstruction, making disaster risk financing an important component of prudent fiscal management and sustainable economic development. He added that strengthening Ghana's capacity to anticipate, manage and finance disaster-related risks is essential to protecting public finances and safeguarding the country's development gains.

Accra Flood Risk Financing Solution

Ofori Addo described the Accra Flood Risk Financing Solution as an important milestone in improving Ghana's preparedness and financial resilience against flood-related disasters. He explained that the initiative is expected to generate reliable risk information and strengthen analytical capacity, enabling government institutions to better assess their fiscal exposure to disasters.

"It will also support the identification and development of appropriate financial protection mechanisms, including contingency financing arrangements and insurance solutions, to reduce the financial burden of future disasters," he said.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration among government institutions, technical agencies and development partners in building an effective disaster risk financing framework, and encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions and identify practical measures to support the initiative's implementation and sustainability.

The Ministry of Finance expressed appreciation to NADMO and UNDP, through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), for their continued support towards Ghana's resilience agenda.

UNDP: Disaster Risk Financing a "Critical Tool" for Development

Dr Amina Sammo, National Coordinator of the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) at UNDP Ghana, said disaster risk financing is not merely a financial instrument but a critical tool for sustainable development.

She noted that millions of people remain vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, stressing that a single flood, failed harvest or other shock could wipe out years of economic progress for families and communities.

Dr Sammo said resilience is strengthened through sound institutions, effective policies, reliable data, early warning systems and financial mechanisms that enable people and governments to recover more quickly from crises. She identified disaster risk financing as a key tool for protecting livelihoods, supporting small businesses, enabling farmers to invest with greater confidence, and helping governments manage fiscal risks more effectively.

She added that UNDP, through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility, is working with countries globally to strengthen financial resilience through innovative insurance and risk financing solutions.

Academic Facilitator: Funding Must Be Ready Before Disaster Strikes

Prof. Issahaku Haruna of the Department of Finance, School of Business, University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, who facilitated the training, said Ghana needs to strengthen its capacity to finance disaster risks before disasters occur.

He explained that disaster risk financing focuses on ensuring that necessary financial resources are available before a disaster strikes, enabling faster and more effective response and recovery. He stressed that disaster risk financing does not replace emergency response mechanisms but complements them by ensuring adequate financial resources are available to support response and recovery efforts.

He said strengthening disaster risk financing would enable Ghana to better manage the financial implications of its evolving hazard profile and build greater resilience to future shocks.

Part of Broader Resilience Efforts

The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the Government of Ghana and its development partners to strengthen the country's disaster risk financing architecture and improve financial preparedness for climate-related disasters.