The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has disclosed that the country loses about 200 million dollars annually as a result of floods and droughts.
The Deputy Director-General of GMet, Mr. Ignatius Williams, made this known during a courtesy visit by the Climate Beyond Borders Caravan (CBBC), an initiative of the People, Planet and Peace Foundation, in Accra.
He noted that Ghana continues to face rising climate-related disasters, which have led to significant economic losses and loss of lives over the years.
Williams warned that the situation could worsen if early warning systems and climate resilience measures are not strengthened.
He cited several past incidents, including the 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage, which led to widespread flooding, displacement of families, and estimated losses of about 141 million dollars.
He also referenced the June 2015 Accra floods, which resulted in over 200 deaths and economic losses estimated at 108 million dollars, as well as the 2024 drought situation that affected more than 135,000 farmers across over 570,000 hectares of farmland.
Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Portuphy, Deputy Director of Synoptic Meteorology and Forecasting at GMet, said the agency was created to provide timely, accurate and reliable weather and climate information to support national development.
He explained that GMet carries out this mandate by collecting, processing, archiving and sharing weather data to enhance public safety, economic planning and disaster risk reduction.
Portuphy added that the agency operates under the Ghana Meteorological Agency Act, 2004 (Act 682), and produces specialised forecasts for key sectors such as aviation, maritime and agriculture.
He further noted that GMet works to integrate climate services into national planning in order to build resilience against extreme weather events like floods, droughts and rising sea levels.
In a related update, Mrs. Felicity Ahfianyo of GMet’s Central Analysis and Forecasting Department said the agency had strengthened compliance with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards in its operations, including data management and equipment calibration.
She stated that GMet remains the official custodian of weather and climate data in Ghana, while also making relevant information available to the public and researchers.
At another engagement, Chief Osim Kwatia II of the Amanor Krom Kingdom praised participants of the Climate Beyond Borders Caravan during a visit to his palace.
He called for stronger cooperation among governments, communities and organisations in addressing climate change challenges.
According to him, protecting the environment requires collective responsibility and sustained collaboration to maintain a clean and sustainable ecosystem.