Samuel Nartey George is the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has reiterated the government’s resolve to transform the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMET) into a sub-regional hub for weather and climate services.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Meteorological Awareness Month and presentation of the seasonal forecast for Southern Ghana on February 24, 2026, he said accurate and timely weather observations remain central to protecting lives, supporting agriculture, aviation and marine operations, and strengthening national development planning.
“Strong observation systems today are the foundation for safer communities, resilient livelihoods and sustainable national development,” he indicated.
He explained that the renewed push to modernise GMET is consistent with concerns raised by President John Dramani Mahama in his 2025 State of the Nation Address about gaps in Ghana’s early warning and climate information systems.
According to Sam George, bridging those gaps is critical as the country faces increasing climate variability and extreme weather events.
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As part of the reforms, the government is reviewing legislation to elevate GMET from an agency to an authority, a move expected to expand its regulatory mandate and enhance its operational autonomy.
He noted that this transition will position the institution to better coordinate national weather and climate services, while meeting international standards.
Samuel Nartey George further announced plans to begin the construction of the ‘GMET Towers’ in 2026 to provide a modern operational base for the agency.
The project, he said, forms part of a broader institutional restructuring aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and reinforcing public confidence in meteorological services.
“This forms part of a broader institutional restructuring aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and reinforcing public confidence in meteorological services,” he stated.
On the technological front, Sam George disclosed that the government is accelerating the implementation of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) to streamline the dissemination of emergency weather information.
He said GMET’s alerts are already visible on international platforms, including Google, Windy and MeteoBlue, as well as through systems coordinated by the World Meteorological Organisation.
The minister directed the National Communications Authority to work closely with telecommunications operators to ensure full nationwide integration of CAP, stressing that no community should be left without access to life-saving weather alerts.
He maintained that strengthening meteorological infrastructure remains a key pillar in government’s broader digital transformation agenda and climate resilience strategy.
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com