He said impacts of disaster on victims and the country could only be mitigated through effective disaster management, hence the formation of the committee.

The committee is to ensure that proper and effective disaster prevention and control measures are put in place for disaster prevention and risks reduction in the Region.

It is also to develop comprehensive emergency response mechanisms for quick and timely response to issues of disaster.

The nine member committee is chaired by the Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa.

The rest are from the departments of Social Welfare and Information Services, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Health Service, Red Cross, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Regional Health Directorate and the Regional NADMO Director.

Mr Prempeh said NADMO could achieve more in disaster risks reduction when the citizenry collaborated effectively with the Organization, saying, "we consider prevention of disaster a very key responsibility of not only the government but every Ghanaian".

He said the country had experienced four earth tremors in the past six months, which were indications that "anything at all can happen at any time" therefore there was the need to put pragmatic measures in place to mitigate such occurrences.

Mr Divine Bosson, Director of NADMO, Volta Region, said disaster management was a major concept towards disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainable development.

He bemoaned the rate at which buildings were collapsing in recent times and attributed such occurrences to the failure of the citizenry to adhere to the building codes and regulations.

Mr Bosson appealed to all municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to ensure people who acquired building permits from the Assemblies adhered strictly to building codes and regulations.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Chairman of the Committee, said the committee accepted the challenge and would work effectively to ensure that proper measures were put in place to prevent disaster and mitigate its impact in the Region.

The Minister said the country had a lot to do in terms of disaster risk reduction and therefore called for support from all.