By Vivian Amoah and Abigail Nyahe
The Ghana Red Cross Society has marked the 2026 World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day celebration in Accra with a renewed call for stronger partnerships, enhanced disaster preparedness and collective humanitarian action to support vulnerable communities across the country.
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The event, held under the theme “United in Humanity,” brought together government officials, development partners, donors and more than 1,000 volunteers from all 16 regions of Ghana who continue to provide lifesaving support during disasters and emergencies.
President of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Edward Donkor, highlighted the organization’s growing role in disaster management, particularly in flood-prone communities where climate-related disasters continue to threaten lives and livelihoods.
Dr. Donkor announced the implementation of the Simplified Early Action Protocol for Flooding, an initiative aimed at strengthening early warning systems and improving Ghana’s emergency response capacity ahead of the rainy season.
According to him, the initiative will support the pre-positioning of relief items while building the capacity of Red Cross staff and volunteers to respond swiftly and effectively during emergencies.
“Our interventions in vulnerable communities are helping to reduce the devastating impact of disasters such as flooding,” Dr. Donkor stated. “We remain committed to protecting lives and supporting affected communities through timely humanitarian action.”
He stressed that proactive disaster management and community sensitization remain critical in reducing the impact of flooding on vulnerable populations.
Dr. Donkor further called for stronger collaboration between the Red Cross, government institutions and development stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and response mechanisms nationwide.
“Sustained collaboration is critical if we are to effectively support vulnerable populations and respond swiftly to emergencies,” he said. “Humanitarian work cannot be done in isolation. It requires unity, partnership and shared responsibility.”
Security Advisor and Representative for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone at the United Nations Department of Safety and Security, Lihong Shen, commended Red Cross volunteers and staff across the country for their dedication and commitment to humanitarian service.
“The commitment demonstrated by Red Cross volunteers in serving humanity is commendable,” she noted. “Unity remains a key driver in sustaining humanitarian efforts and supporting communities in times of crisis.”
The celebration reaffirmed the importance of compassion, unity and collective action in addressing growing humanitarian challenges, including public health emergencies, climate-related disasters and increasing vulnerabilities within communities.
