The Ag. Director-General for the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Mr. Eric Asuman, has advised Ghanaians to plant more trees and replace pavement and tiring of compounds in their homes with grass saying, they should be mindful of the effect of pavement and ties on the environment and the weather.
“When the sun shine on the floor, it reflect back. If it is grass, it absorbed some of the heat. Now you have tied the surface. It reflect back and the heat comes back to heart us. Even if you are using energy air condition and things like that, we should be energy efficient”.
Government policy of green Ghana, by planting more trees he stated, is something that everyone should get involved and stop burning and cutting down trees.
Mr. Eric Asuman made this statement in an interview during the launched of Ghana Meteorological Agency “Weather Kids” Initiative under the auspices of World Meteorological Organization held in Accra to create Meteorological awareness month 2024.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency “Weather Kids” Initiative, is to prioritize Climate Action to protect the future of kids in Ghana.
The Director General further called for the need to stop burning refuse waste added that, the smoke comes back to affect us adding that, very soon the rains are going to set in. “As we are going into the raining season, we need to clean our gutters. It is our responsibility”.
He entreated the good people of Ghana to take all the weather warnings from GMet seriously.
Mr. Eric Asuman explained that, every year on 23rd March, World Meteorological Organization, the UN body of which Ghana is a member, represented by the Ghana Meteorological Agency, celebrate the Meteorological Day.
He emphasized that due to the low awareness creation of Weather and climate change, Ghana Meteorological Agency has decided to turn the celebration into a month celebration where various activities would be done to create more awareness on weather and climate issues.
“This year, there is a campaign from Word Meteorological Organization in collaboration with the UNDP. They have launched an initiative called ” Weather Kids “. So, WMO advised that World Meteorological Day should be focused on the Kids”.
The day he mentioned, was set aside to gather kids from schools to create more awareness and prepare them to become climate smart citizens in future. “If we don’t take care and protect the environment, we are going to harm generation yet to come”.
The Head of Central Analysis and Forecast office and Chairperson for Meteorological Awareness Month Committee, Madam Felicity Ahafianyo on her part indicated that, weather and climate information fuels economic growth saying, there is the need to do more to turn climate science into services. “We need to make these climate services more accessible and to use them more efficiently”.
Announcing future weather forecast for 23rd March 2050, Madam Ahafianyo revealed that, the day would continue to be sunny and extremely hot with few high clouds over the entire country. Temperatures would increased to a maximum of 55 degrees Celsius over Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Tamale, 46 Celsius for Kumasi, Koforidua and Ho, 43 degrees Celsius for Accra and 39 degrees Celsius in Takoradi.
She emphasized that, there would be a slim chance of rain, therefore, heat related health crisis is forecast to increase.
“Do not panic just relax this is the forecast Ghana Meteorological Agency Forecast office is likely be predicting in 26years from today if we don’t take an action that will mitigate climate change impact here in Ghana. Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, and there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. The lives of future generations are in our hands. Our efforts today will ensure a safer, Healthier world for future generations—a world where children thrive in harmony with Nature. Together we stand at the Frontline of Climate Action as we leverage our collective expertise for the greater good and shape a resilient tomorrow”.
