University of Cape Coast

Centre for Coastal Management

An exchange student from Yokohama National University, Japan, Ms. Natsuki Takayama, currently undertaking studies at the University of Cape Coast’s Centre for Coastal Management - Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, (CCM-ACECoR), has presented her final research project on disaster education in Ghana, highlighting the need for increased community education and awareness to reduce the risk of disasters in coastal communities 

She stated that the often unclear and limited understanding of such risks inspired her study, emphasizing disaster education as a key tool for reducing disaster risks, particularly in coastal communities.

The presentation, held on 18th March, 2026 at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience ACECoR of the University of Cape Coast, marked the end of her three-month academic exchange in the country.

Focusing her research on coastal communities like Cape Coast and Accra, Ms. Takayama visited places like Korle, Agbogbloshie in Accra, and University Primary school in Cape Coast, where she explored how local communities and schoolchildren perceive disaster risks in their daily lives

According to her findings, waste accumulation remains a widespread challenge across both urban and coastal communities, posing significant environmental and disaster-related risks. She indicated she had observed that communication surrounding these risks is limited, leaving many residents without adequate information to respond effectively.

Ms. Takayama stated that integrating disaster education into school curricula and community programs is essential for building safer and more resilient societies. Her research also examined how disaster education is currently implemented in Ghana and assessed the potential of simple, accessible educational materials to improve awareness and preparedness.

The Ag. Director of the Centre for Coastal Management, Prof. Precious Mattah, together with other staff members, commended her work, particularly, its focus on disaster education. They also provided constructive feedback, including suggestions to expand the number of schools involved in the study. The team expressed hope that Ms. Takayama would return to Ghana for future research.