The Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has stressed that no country or region is completely immune to disasters, regardless of its level of wealth or economic strength.
Speaking on the importance of disaster preparedness and emergency response, the minister cited the U.S. state of California as an example. He noted that California is the richest state in the United States and, if considered a country, would rank among the world’s largest economies. Despite its enormous wealth, he said, the state has experienced devastating disasters that have claimed lives and caused widespread destruction.
“California State is the richest state in America. Standing on its own, it is the sixth-largest economy, yet they had disasters and people lost their lives with all their money,” Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak stated.
According to the minister, the example demonstrates that financial resources alone cannot eliminate the risk of natural or human-made disasters. Instead, he emphasized the need for effective planning, preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and strong emergency response systems to minimize the impact of such events.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions about disaster management and public safety in Ghana, where authorities continue to encourage citizens to comply with safety regulations and support efforts aimed at reducing the impact of floods, fires, and other emergencies. The minister reiterated that protecting lives requires collective responsibility and proactive measures from both government institutions and the public.
