Dr. Eric Asuman Calls for Deeper Professional Understanding as Refresher Training Opens for Principal & Senior Meteorological Technicians
The Director-General of the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), Dr. Eric Asuman, has called on Principal and Senior Meteorological Technicians to deepen their understanding of the Agency’s mandate and the national relevance of their work, emphasizing that meteorology is an essential service whose impact extends far beyond the observation of weather elements.
He made the call during the opening of a three-day refresher training programme in Accra on Wednesday, describing the workshop as both a capacity-building initiative and a moment of professional reflection.
Dr. Asuman noted that while weather instruments and coding procedures remain fundamental, the true value of GMet’s work lies in the services derived from these observations, services relied upon by government agencies, the aviation sector, research institutions, and the general public.
“Our work goes beyond showing people thermometers or reading values. Those processes form the basis for products and services that guide national planning, protect lives, and support various sectors of the economy. It is important that we fully understand the purpose behind what we do, who depends on our information, and why accuracy and consistency matter,” he said.
He urged participants to pay close attention to the technical sessions, especially areas where discrepancies or uncertainties frequently occur. According to him, the training presents an opportunity to harmonize practices across stations, clarify long-standing challenges, and strengthen the credibility of the Agency’s outputs.
Dr. Asuman also highlighted the increasing public interest in weather information, noting that the visibility of GMet’s work has grown significantly over recent years. He therefore encouraged the technicians who form the backbone of observational data to use the programme to refresh their knowledge and reinforce the standards that support this growing confidence in the Agency’s services.
In his remarks, the Acting Deputy Director-General (Operations) Dr. Ignatius Kweku Williams welcomed participants and reminded them that the relevance of their work extends well beyond their stations. He stressed that meteorological data feedsinto global systems and scientific comparisons, making accuracy and professional discipline indispensable.
He encouraged participants to unlearn and relearn where necessary, explaining that even long-practiced procedures benefit from periodic review. He also underscored the importance of interacting actively with the facilitators and giving constructive feedback to help shape future training programmes.
The workshop, which runs from 3rd to 5th December, covers key areas including electronic data recording, aeronautical reporting, meteorological observation and coding, instrumentation, interpretation of daily forecasts, and an introduction to human resource management practices.
Participants are expected to leave the programme with strengthened technical competence, renewed professional confidence, and a unified understanding of GMet’s service mandate.
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