The Director–General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Major Dr. Joseph Kunyo, has called on Ghanaian musicians, content creators, and creative arts leaders to prioritise rural and remote communities when planning entertainment programs ahead of the Christmas festivities.
He stressed that many rural communities lack regular recreational activities and job opportunities, creating conditions where young people can easily fall into idleness, manipulation, and in some cases, criminal behaviour.
According to Dr. Kunyo, community concerts, creative arts outreach, and social engagement programs are powerful tools that can keep young people positively occupied and reduce their risk of being influenced into violence.
“When people are engaged with productive activities, they have less time to plan conflict or involve themselves in negative behaviour. Many rural communities lack adequate jobs, so it becomes easy for some residents to be hired to engage in violence,” he said.
Top Artistes Urged to Extend Holiday Shows Beyond Big Cities
Major Dr. Kunyo appealed to some of Ghana’s biggest music stars, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Black Sherif, KiDi, and Kuami Eugene, to consider hosting more holiday concerts and outreach events outside Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and other major cities.
He noted that such initiatives would:
- Promote inclusion and national unity
- Reduce crime and violence in rural communities
- Bring hope and excitement to underserved areas
- Support peace-building efforts
“Let us make people living outside regional capitals feel involved and a part of society. When top artistes and content creators take entertainment to rural communities, it reduces crime, promotes peace, and brings joy and hope to young people,” he added.
Creative Arts as a Tool for Local Economic Growth
Dr. Kunyo highlighted the economic potential of entertainment events in rural communities, explaining that concerts and festivals create opportunities for:
- Food vendors
- Local artisans
- Transport operators
- Small businesses
He said the influx of visitors during such events boosts local economies that often struggle with limited commercial activity.
He also noted that decentralizing major entertainment events will reduce pressure on capital cities, where large crowds often contribute to traffic congestion and increase disaster risks.
Defence Press Corps Commends NADMO’s Performance
The call was made when executives of the Defence Press Corps paid a courtesy visit to the NADMO Director–General to strengthen media–agency collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of the Corps, Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey, Dean of the group and Defence Correspondent at Media General, praised NADMO for:
- Early dredging and desilting of major drains in Accra
- Reducing the frequency and severity of floods in 2025
- Swift response to recent disaster situations
- Strong community protection efforts nationwide
However, he raised concerns about poor media engagement in some MMDAs, which he said limits information flow during disasters.
“We need consistent and continuous media engagement on disaster preparedness to ensure the public receives timely and accurate information,” he stated.
The visit ended with the Defence Press Corps presenting a citation of honour to Major Dr. Kunyo in recognition of his leadership and achievements. In return, the NADMO Director–General presented a plaque to the Corps to strengthen their working relationship.
