The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has begun engaging insurance companies in the country to develop packages to help mitigate the impact of disasters on traders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The Chief Executive of the AMA, Mr. Mohammed Adjei Sowah, said the move, which forms part of an integrated disaster risk management approach, seeks to provide economic resilience for traders affected by disasters, particularly in markets and commercial centres, across the metropolis.
“The impact of flooding in Accra affects the economy and livelihood of people, and mostly, the insurance companies hardly reach out to the informal sector, especially SMEs. So we are working with some insurance companies to understand the risk involved in working with the informal sector players and be able to embrace them in the whole gamut of insurance packages,” Mr. Sowah said.
He was speaking at a forum to share knowledge on an integrated flood risk management.
The project on risk management approaches for climate and health risks was implemented by the German agency for international cooperation and development (GIZ).
Impact
Mr. Sowah said over the past years, the metropolis had experienced fires and seen several floods which had negative impact on the people living in the capital.
He observed that over the years, local authorities did not have the financial wherewithal to address challenges faced after disasters, hence the need for more proactive approaches among local authorities and their National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) units.
“Government through NADMO is activated in such emergencies with a concentration on emergency relief efforts and with the resultant hardships,” he said.
Insurance alliance
GIZ formed a strategic alliance with Allianz, a German insurance multinational, and joined forces with BIMA, a digital micro insurance company, forming the Strategic Alliance GIZ, Allianz, BIMA (SAGABI) to commence the pilot of a public-private-partnership (PPP).
The PPP aims to enable underserved consumers to access simple and affordable mobile-delivered insurance and health services.
It is also to increase the overall insurance awareness and health literacy.
The Country Director of GIZ Ghana, Mrs. Regina Bauerochse Barbosa, said flooding in the capital had become an occurrence with consequences that affected mostly the urban poor.
She said it had, therefore, become critical to design strategies to address disasters and manage them properly.
“This is why GIZ, through the SAGABI project, partnered with Allianz SE to develop a holistic approach, including the possibility of risk transfer solutions.”
She further called on the implementing stakeholders, particularly the piloting municipalities, to continue to collaborate to provide sustainable living for the citizens.
SAGABI
The pilot, which ended yesterday, was implemented in the AMA, the Ga West and Ga East municipalities.
At yesterday’s forum, the representatives shared their experiences, lessons and best practices during the implementation of the project.
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