Disaster And Risk Management In An Electronic Environment: A Case Study Of The Planning And Management Information Services Directorate (PMISD). University Of Ghana, Legon

Abstract

Disaster and Risk Management is an essential framework for making better decisions to safeguard vital documents in an information centre. Developing a disaster and risk management procedures involves working through a series of steps in order to collect, organize and analyze information about Disasters and Risk in an organization. This research is a case study carried out in the Planning and Management Information Services Directorate, which is the data unit of the Uni versity of Ghana and plays a vital role in the processing and storage of Information. The Disaster and Risk Management procedures and activities in the directorate were thoroughly investigated. The study found out that there was lack of modern and adequa te disaster detection and suppression systems and no formal disaster control and recovery plan in the directorate. There was also the absence of systematic orientation and training scheme in disaster and risk management procedures for staff in the PMISD. On the whole, the study revealed that even though the Planning and Management Information Services Directorate has experienced a number of disasters over time, it still needed revitalization in its disaster and risk management procedures. The study recomme nded amongst others regular risk assessment routines in and around the directorate; the formal orientation and training of its staff on Disaster and Risk management procedures and tools. Recommendations were also made for the need to put together a disaster control and recovery plan in the PMISD. This will provide step by step instructions and ensure that the right measures are taken at the right time in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Key Words: Disaster, Risk, Management, Electronic, Environment, University of Ghana