Author: M. A. Lamptey Hussein – (Communication Expert/Lecturer)
A Wake-Up Call for All Ghanaians Fellow Ghanaians, let us take this article as a wake-up call. For far too many years, we have watched rainstorms and floods destroy homes, roads, livelihoods, and precious lives. We cannot continue on this path.
To solve a problem, we must first understand its history.
History provides lessons, prevents us from repeating mistakes, and guides the decisions we make today. Ghana’s Painful History With Rainstorms and Floods Rainstorms and flash floods are not new to Ghana. Every rainy season brings fresh challenges, and in many cases, devastating consequences.
Some of the worst disasters in our history include: June 3 Disaster, 2015:
Accra recorded 212.8 millimetres of rainfall within a few hours. The resulting floods triggered an explosion at the Goil Filling Station near Kwame Nkrumah Circle. More than 150 people lost their lives, while thousands were affected. It remains one of Ghana’s deadliest disasters.
1999 Northern Floods: Severe storms swept across the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions, affecting more than 300,000 people. It remains one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in northern Ghana.
2018 Accra and Kumasi Floods: Heavy thunderstorms hit Ghana’s two largest cities, claiming 14 lives and displacing more than 34,000 residents.
March 2023 Storms: Heavy rains submerged roads in Accra, displaced families and resulted in the loss of lives and property.
2023 Akosombo Dam Spillage: Persistent rains forced the Volta River Authority to spill excess water from the Akosombo Dam, leaving about 26,000 residents in parts of the Volta and Eastern Regions homeless.
May 2025 Floods: Heavy rainfall affected several parts of the country. Greater Accra alone recorded 132.20 millimetres of rainfall, displacing over 3,000 people and causing four confirmed deaths.
Unfortunately, the rains are not over.
According to the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the rainy season is still ongoing. While some northern areas may experience brief sunny periods, Accra and much of southern Ghana should continue to expect rain showers and thunderstorms during both daytime and nighttime hours.
The Missing Link: How We Communicate Weather Information
One important question deserves attention: Does the Ghana Meteorological Agency have a well-resourced Environmental Communication Department?
I stand to be corrected, but I believe there is a significant gap.
Providing rainfall figures and technical forecasts alone is not enough. Effective communication saves lives. It serves as the bridge between scientific weather data and the practical actions ordinary citizens must take to stay safe. We need to move beyond statements such as, “50 millimetres of rain expected.”
Instead, forecasts should say: “Residents of Abokobi, Madina and Kaneshie should prepare for possible flooding. Move valuable items to higher ground. Avoid using portions of the N1 Highway after 6:00 p.m.”
This is what experts describe as impact-based forecasting.
Plain Language Saves Lives
Meteorologists often use technical terms such as “stationary fronts,” “transient rains,” and “accumulation measurements.”
However, when floodwaters are entering someone’s home, technical language becomes meaningless. What people need are simple, clear and practical instructions.
Weather forecasts should therefore be communicated in Twi, Ga, Dagbani, Hausa, Ewe and other local languages, in addition to plain English. If a market woman at Makola, a fisherman in Ada, or a trotro driver in Kasoa cannot understand the forecast, then the communication has failed.
Tell Citizens What They Need to Know
Weather forecasting naturally comes with uncertainties. Authorities should not hide this reality.
If a storm’s direction or intensity could change, the public deserves to know. Transparency builds trust, and trust encourages action.
In emergencies, communication tools such as SMS alerts, mobile notifications and community radio broadcasts in local languages are not luxuries—they are lifesaving necessities.
Most importantly, every warning should include clear action points such as:
Avoid using the Tema Motorway: Secure temporary structures and kiosks. Move to designated safe locations. Stay away from flood-prone areas. People need guidance, not just information.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
