The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Wednesday, May 6 handed over nine automated weather stations to the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) to strengthen early warning systems and climate resilience in northern Ghana.
The equipment, funded by the Government of Japan, is expected to improve the availability of accurate, real-time meteorological data to support forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate-informed decision-making, particularly in flood- and drought-prone regions.
The presentation formed part of a $750,000 project titled “Strengthening Resilience on Water-Related Disasters under Climate Change for a Sustainable Society in Ghana.”
The initiative seeks to address growing climate risks, including extreme weather events that threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
The automated stations, which record and transmit data without manual intervention, is expected to help bridge gaps in observation networks, especially across the Northern, Savannah, North East and Upper East Regions.
It is expected to enhance early warnings and reduce response times to disasters.
Mr Edmond Moukala N’Gouemo, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, said the handover marked “a significant milestone” in efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
“Accurate, timely and reliable meteorological data is the backbone of effective early warning systems,” he said, adding: “These weather stations are instruments of anticipation rather than reaction, of prevention rather than response.”
He said UNESCO remained committed to working with national institutions to advance open science, early warning systems, and climate resilience.
Dr Eric Asuman, Director-General of GMet, described the support as timely, stressing that data remained central to the agency’s work.
“These automated systems make data collection more reliable and efficient, especially in a resource-constrained environment,” he said.
Dr Asuman noted that GMet’s services support key sectors including agriculture, aviation, energy, health, and disaster risk management, and called for further investment in meteorological infrastructure.
Madam Matila Akua Afriyie, Disaster Risk Reduction Project Officer, Sciences Sector, UNESCO Office in Accra, said the project was designed to address increasing climate shocks and gaps in infrastructure and capacity to manage them.
She noted that recent events, including the 2023 Akosombo Dam spillage and the 2024 drought, which affected about one million people, underscored the urgency for improved early warning systems and data-driven planning.
“To effectively manage climate risks, we must strengthen observation systems, build institutional capacity and empower communities with the right tools and information,” she said, adding that the initiative would deliver integrated early warning systems, high-resolution risk maps, and trained personnel to support climate resilience efforts nationwide.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency is the state institution mandated to provide weather and climate services to safeguard lives and property and support socio-economic development, while ensuring compliance with international standards in meteorology.
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