Accra: The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has handed over nine automated weather stations to the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) to improve upon early warning systems in Ghana. The gesture is part of a project aimed at strengthening resilience against water-related disasters under climate change, funded by the Government of Japan.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative seeks to bolster Ghana's ability to respond to climate variability and extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts. Mr. Edmond Moukala, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, emphasized the importance of reliable meteorological data in effective early warning systems. He described the weather stations as crucial tools for prevention and preparedness.
Dr. Eric Asuman, the Director-General of GMet, highlighted the critical role of data in the Agency's operations, particularly in aviation and agriculture. He acknowledged the financial challenges of maintaining meteorological systems but expressed gratitude for UNESCO's support. Dr. Asuman noted that advances in technology, particularly automated weather stations, are easing the burden and strengthening operational capacity.
Dr. Ignatius Kweku Williams, Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations at GMet, expressed appreciation for the support from UNESCO and the Government of Japan. He reaffirmed the Agency's readiness to deploy and integrate the new systems into its operations, aiming to enhance service delivery and data accuracy.
The introduction of these weather stations is expected to improve data availability across Ghana, support more accurate forecasts, and strengthen early warning systems, thereby contributing to the protection of lives and livelihoods.