GMet Ends Marine Forecasting Engagement in Axim with Strong Appeal for Local Action
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has successfully concluded its three-part coastal stakeholder engagement on marine weather forecasting, with the final session held in Axim on Friday, August 1, 2025. The Western Region event brought together key fishing communities from Axim, Esiama, Beyin, Butre, and Dixcove, marking the end of a nationwide effort to improve the uptake and understanding of marine weather information.
A major highlight of the Axim workshop was the revelation that the flag-based communication system a joint initiative developed by GMet and the Maritime sector to provide visual cues on sea conditions is largely not being used in the participating communities. Designed to enhance safety at landing beaches, the system uses Red flags to indicate dangerous conditions, Yellow for rough seas, and Green for calm waters.
Despite its simplicity and effectiveness, discussions revealed that most of the coastal communities have not adopted or sustained this life-saving practice. Chief fishermen and community leaders were therefore strongly urged to begin implementing the flag system immediately, especially as it offers a direct, accessible warning method for fishers with limited access to digital or broadcast alerts.
The event drew participation from representatives of the Fisheries Commission, the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), the Nzema East Municipal Assembly, and local information centres, all of whom contributed to the lively discussions on forecast communication, trust, and the inclusion of vulnerable marine actors.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), a representative of the Assembly welcomed participants to Axim and encouraged them to treat the GMet initiative with the seriousness it deserves. He commended the Agency for bringing marine weather education directly to the people and urged attendees to become ambassadors, spreading the message in their communities and championing safer practices at sea.
"Let us not keep this information to ourselves, Marine forecasts are only useful when they lead to action. Let’s work with GMet and make safety a community-wide responsibility." he said.
As in earlier sessions in Keta and Cape Coast, the Axim workshop featured case studies of marine incidents across Ghana, breakout discussions, and collaborative brainstorming on how GMet can refine its communication strategies to reach more end-users with clarity, relevance, and urgency.
The presence of the local information centres was once again crucial, as their involvement ensures that marine forecasts and safety messages reach even the most remote fishing communities, expanding the visibility and impact of GMet’s work.
With the conclusion of the Axim engagement, GMet has completed a significant milestone in its mission to foster a culture of marine safety through inclusive dialogue and community-level action. The lessons gathered across the three coastal hubs will inform the next phase of GMet’s efforts to build a more resilient, informed, and responsive marine sector in Ghana.
©️GMet Communications