CCCFS, GMet train religious leaders on weather forecast interpretation

The Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS) has partnered with the Ghana Meteorology Agency (GMet). They trained 15 religious leaders from Christian and Muslim communities. This training is part of the global Early Warning for All (EW4All) campaign. The goal is to improve disaster preparedness and response at the community level.

The training was conducted virtually via Zoom. It helped religious leaders learn to interpret weather forecasts from GMet. They can now effectively communicate this information to their congregations. This will help communities take precautions against extreme weather events.

Engr. Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen, Executive Director of CCCFS, emphasized the importance of weather forecasts. He noted that changing weather patterns affect daily life significantly. Religious leaders are key influencers in their communities, he said. By equipping them with knowledge, more Ghanaians can adapt to extreme weather.

In recent years, many communities in Ghana have faced severe weather conditions. Schoolchildren near rivers and coastal areas have been particularly affected. CCCFS plans to train teachers across the country next, enhancing community resilience.

Senior Meteorologist Joshua Asamoah facilitated the training session. He stressed the need for collaboration among meteorological services and community leaders. “Through training and knowledge-sharing, we can build a well-informed society,” he stated.

CCCFS has led climate resilience efforts in Ghana for years. The organization has trained journalists, farmers, and religious leaders on climate topics before. In July 2020, they partnered with Down To Earth and CSE in India to train journalists on climate change reporting.

In 2022, CCCFS trained 20 journalists on interpreting weather forecasts better. Over 100 farmers have also benefited from similar programs through WhatsApp groups for continuous learning.

CCCFS has made progress through technical expertise and digital platforms for knowledge-sharing. However, they recognize a need for broader collaboration with government agencies and partners to expand their reach.

Engr. Mohammed-Nurudeen expressed motivation to protect everyone from extreme weather effects. Their training efforts are part of the Early Warning for All initiative aimed at ensuring no one is caught off guard by climate events.

CCCFS is a Ghana-based NGO focused on promoting climate resilience and sustainable development through research and advocacy. They also run a Non-Profit Journalism Project called GJESHA that supports journalists covering climate change issues in Ghana.

With 60 members across the country, GJESHA promotes collaboration among media professionals in environmental reporting.