Let's Talk Weather: GMet's Sharing of Weather Information with Public via WhatsApp

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) is at the forefront of integrating citizen science into weather forecasting and verification, particularly highlighting the innovative use of WhatsApp to gather real-time weather data from the public. This initiative, led by Senior Meteorologist Ms. Maureen A. Ahiataku, is part of the broader GCRF African-SWIFT project, aiming to enhance weather prediction accuracy and community engagement in Ghana.

By encouraging public participation through "Let's Talk Weather" platforms, GMet has successfully leveraged community feedback to improve forecast evaluations, especially during significant rainfall events in 2020. This approach has not only filled data gaps caused by the limited number of weather stations but also fostered a stronger relationship between the meteorological agency and the Ghanaian public.

This citizen science project signifies a major step forward in weather science communication and public involvement in Ghana. Through active engagement and educational workshops, the initiative has increased public trust in meteorological services and highlighted the potential for similar collaborative efforts across Africa. GMet acknowledges the contributions of all citizen scientists involved and looks forward to the continued success of this and other projects aimed at protecting lives and livelihoods through improved weather forecasting.