Accra: The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and with support from the Government of Japan, has launched an Artificial Intelligence-powered WhatsApp chatbot aimed at enhancing disaster risk communication and improving preparedness against floods and droughts in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, the chatbot, developed by UNESCO, was officially handed over to NADMO at a ceremony held at the organisation's headquarters in Accra. The WhatsApp number to access the chatbot is 0204833556. Mr. Edmond Moukala, the UNESCO Ghana Country Director, highlighted that this innovation addresses the 'last mile' challenge in disaster communication by ensuring that accurate and practical information reaches citizens promptly.
Mr. Moukala explained that the initiative is part of the project titled 'Strengthening Resilience to Water-Related Disasters under Climate Change for a Sustainable Society in Ghana.' The chatbot is designed to support communication around the dual threats of floods and droughts, which continue to affect communities across the country as climate change intensifies. He noted that Ghana has recently experienced severe climate-related disasters, including floods in 2023 displacing over 35,000 people and a major drought in 2024 affecting over one million people.
The choice of WhatsApp as the platform for the chatbot was intentional due to its widespread use and familiarity among Ghanaians. Mr. Moukala emphasized that in emergency situations, the chatbot will provide real-time forecasts and alerts, offer verified guidance, and support emergency response coordination. It will help users understand actions to take before, during, and after floods, prepare for drought and water shortages, and interpret official disaster alerts.
The UNESCO representative further indicated that the platform would help reduce the spread of rumours and misinformation by offering the public direct access to trusted information sources. Beyond information dissemination, the chatbot will serve as a two-way communication platform, allowing communities to report hazards, ask questions, and provide real-time information to disaster management authorities.
Mr. Moukala called on government institutions, local authorities, media organisations, community leaders, and the public to actively adopt and promote the chatbot to strengthen preparedness and resilience against climate-related disasters. Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, the Director-General of NADMO, acknowledged the role of UNESCO and the government of Japan in making this initiative possible and urged all players in disaster management to integrate the tool into their operations for effective disaster prevention and rapid response.