The Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations at the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), Dr. Ignatius Kwaku Williams, has outlined the broader functions of the agency, stating that its work goes beyond routine weather forecasting
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, Dr. Williams explained that the agency plays a critical role in aviation safety and long-term climate planning.
“Many people think the agency is only about predicting whether it will rain or not, but our work goes far beyond that. Public weather forecasting is just one aspect. For instance, every aircraft that takes off requires detailed weather information along its route and at its destination. We provide this aeronautical weather information to airlines and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority to ensure safe flights,” he said.
Dr. Williams noted that the agency also focuses on climate data collection and analysis to support long-term planning. He revealed that GMet is set to launch a new product, the Ghana Climate Atlas, on March 25 in Accra, which will project climate conditions up to 100 years into the future.
“We also collect and analyse data as part of our climate services. By studying weather patterns over a long period, we are able to make informed predictions about the future. One of our new products is the Ghana Climate Atlas, which allows us to project climate conditions up to 100 years ahead,” he explained.
He added that the launch will bring together key stakeholders, including media organisations, NADMO and the Red Cross, to help them make informed decisions using climate data.
Touching on public awareness, Dr. Williams said the agency observes Meteorological Awareness Month to educate the public on weather and climate issues, noting that the initiative goes beyond the celebration of World Meteorological Day on March 23. Activities for this year began on February 24 in Accra, where the seasonal forecast for the major rainy season in southern Ghana was launched by the sector minister.
He further highlighted some of the agency’s outreach programmes, including the “Adopt a Weather Station” initiative, which engages schools by installing weather equipment and training students to collect and interpret data.
Dr. Williams also disclosed findings from the recently launched State of the Climate Report, indicating a steady rise in temperatures across the country.
“One key finding is that within the past 35 years, 2025 was the second hottest year in Ghana, with 2024 being the hottest. This rise in temperature is largely due to factors such as urbanisation, deforestation, and infrastructure development, where heat-retaining materials like tiles contribute to increasing temperatures,” he stated.
He emphasised the need for increased awareness and collaboration among stakeholders to address the impacts of climate change in Ghana.
Source:
opemsuo.com