Ghana Meteorological Agency Launches 2025 Meteorological Awareness Month To Strengthen Early Warning Systems
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) on Monday, 3rd March, 2025 officially launched the 2025 Meteorological Awareness Month (MAM) under the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.” This year’s event marks the third edition of the month-long campaign dedicated to promoting awareness on weather and climate services in Ghana.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director-General of GMet, Dr. Eric Asuman, highlighted the increasing threats posed by extreme weather events, climate variability, and climate change, noting that Ghana continues to face challenges such as floods, droughts, rising temperatures, coastal inundation, and air pollution. He stressed that tackling these risks requires making climate services more accessible and integrated into national planning.
“Dedicating the entire month of March to meteorological awareness is a testament to GMet’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that weather and climate information is accessible, useful, and integrated into national planning and disaster preparedness efforts,” he stated.
As part of efforts to strengthen the link between climate services and economic planning, Dr. Asuman urged the Ghana Statistical Service to develop an economic indicator for weather and climate services. According to him, such an indicator would provide valuable insights into how climate variability affects different sectors of the economy and help inform evidence-based policy decisions.
He also emphasized the need for strong partnerships in advancing early warning systems. He reiterated the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) stance that “national ownership is critical in implementing the Early Warning for All initiative,” which aims to ensure that everyone is protected from hazardous weather, water, and climate-related disasters. Additionally, he called for greater collaboration with the private sector to enhance the dissemination of early warning information and drive innovation in climate services.
In his welcome address, the Director of Administration at GMet, Charles Bredu Badoo, highlighted the increasing impact of environmental degradation on climate change over the past two decades. He stressed the importance of understanding climate risks and paying attention to early warning signals, particularly in responding effectively to them.
“Education and preparedness are key, and I am elated that the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), a key partner with GMet in climate action, plays and continues to play a crucial role in having disaster management plans in place,” he stated.
Since its introduction in 2023, Meteorological Awareness Month has evolved from what was previously a one-day event—World Meteorological Day, observed every March 23, into a comprehensive, month-long initiative. The expansion allows for broader engagement, in-depth discussions, and increased outreach activities to educate the public on the importance of meteorology and its role in sustainable development.
To further strengthen early warning systems and climate resilience, GMet has outlined a series of activities for MAM 2025. These include the launch of a National Weather Call Centre to provide timely weather updates and disaster mitigation information, a Weather Day with Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to ensure inclusive climate communication for all, and street and community outreach programs designed to disseminate the 2025 weather outlook and preparedness strategies. Additionally, debate and quiz competitions will be held for Green Climate Clubs in schools to encourage young people to actively engage in climate action. Flood simulations and emergency drills will be conducted to improve disaster response readiness, and the Meteorological Innovation Challenge will provide a platform to encourage technological solutions that enhance access to early warning systems.
Through these engagements, GMet seeks to strengthen public response to climate hazards, ensuring that weather information is not only available but also actionable. As activities for the 2025 edition unfold, stakeholders are expected to collaborate in bridging gaps in early warning systems, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting actionable solutions to Ghana’s climate challenges.
