Community Outreach at Atonsu Brings Weather Awareness to the Grassroots
As part of activities marking the 2026 Meteorological Awareness Month, the Ghana Meteorological Agency intensified its public engagement efforts by taking weather and climate education directly to the grassroots through a community outreach at Atonsu in Kumasi on the 17th of March 2026.
The outreach, held at the bustling Atonsu Market, surrounding taxi ranks, and other strategic public spaces, was designed to bring critical weather information closer to the people. It focused on engaging traders, commercial drivers, artisans, and residents groups whose daily activities are highly influenced by weather conditions. Through direct interaction, GMet officials educated the public on current weather trends, climate variability, and practical measures to prepare for extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and prolonged dry spells.
The engagement was highly interactive, with GMet personnel simplifying technical meteorological concepts into relatable, easy-to-understand messages. Emphasis was placed on the importance of paying attention to daily weather updates and early warnings, as well as understanding how weather patterns can affect livelihoods, particularly in trading, transportation, and small-scale agriculture.
Hon. Amoh Kamel, Municipal Chief Executive for Asokwa, joined the outreach alongside his delegation, demonstrating strong local government support for the initiative. His participation underscored the critical role of local leadership in driving climate awareness and strengthening community resilience. Officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation, together with other key stakeholders, also took part in the exercise, reinforcing the collaborative approach required to effectively manage weather-related risks.
The outreach created a valuable platform for direct engagement between GMet and the public, allowing community members to ask questions, share experiences, and seek clarification on weather-related concerns. This two-way interaction not only enhanced public understanding but also enabled GMet to better appreciate the specific information needs of the communities they serve.
By bringing meteorological services closer to the people, the initiative significantly improved awareness of the relevance of accurate and timely weather information in everyday decision-making. It also strengthened public trust in GMet as a reliable source of weather information, while encouraging proactive responses to weather advisories.
Overall, the Atonsu community outreach stood out as a key highlight of the Meteorological Awareness Month activities, demonstrating GMet’s commitment to inclusive communication, community engagement, and building a weather-ready society at the grassroots level.
©️GMet Communications