Management of GMet calls on Ga Mantse to deepen collaboration

Management of the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has paid a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to present this year’s seasonal forecast and provide updates on the state of the climate.

The visit was aimed at enhancing collaboration between the agency and traditional authorities in addressing climate-related challenges, particularly in Accra.

It also formed part of activities to commemorate World Meteorological Day which falls on March 23, this year.

Traditional rulers

The Deputy Director of the Agency, Francisca Martey, explained that while GMeT often collaborated with agricultural extension officers to provide weather updates to farmers, the visit to the Ga Mantse Palace signified a deliberate effort to involve traditional rulers in climate action.

“At first, we did not have the manpower to extend our outreach, but now GMet has the capacity to engage directly with communities.

“We are no longer just relying on machines for meteorological data. After gathering the information, we must go out and inform the populace about what to expect,” she said.

Flooding

Mrs Martey said that Accra was highly susceptible to flash floods, even with minimal rainfall, making it crucial for local authorities to be well-informed about weather patterns.

“Since this is your jurisdiction, it is important for you to be aware of the expected weather conditions over the next three months.

We also recognise your initiative of ensuring clean drainage systems, and we hope this information will help intensify those efforts,” she said.

Mrs Martey further said that weather and climate issues were central to daily life and decision-making, adding that “meteorology is something we cannot ignore.

It should be the first thing we consider in the morning and the last thing at night when planning our activities”.

Proactive measures

The Ga Mantse commended GMeT for its efforts in improving climate communication, while stressing the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions in Accra.

“I am grateful for the education we have received on weather conditions and their impact.

I want to extend my appreciation to the agency for its outstanding work, especially during its commemoration month. 

“This initiative is crucial as many people lack knowledge in this sector, yet it plays a vital role in helping us to determine which crops to grow and how the weather affects our harvests,” he added.

The Ga Mantse encouraged the use of best practices such as mulching to enhance yields, and urged the public to continue learning about climate-related issues.

“The traditional council fully supports this initiative and remains committed to promoting climate awareness,” he said.