The Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS), in partnership with the Ghana Meteorology Agency (GMet), has trained 15 religious leaders from Christian and Muslim communities on how to interpret weather forecasts as part of the global Early Warning for All (EW4All) campaign, which aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response at the community level.

The virtual training, conducted via Zoom, equipped the religious leaders with the skills to understand and effectively communicate weather forecasts provided by GMet.

The training aimed to help the leaders to ensure weather forecast information is reached to their congregations to take necessary precautions against extreme weather events.

“The importance of weather forecasts cannot be overstated, especially in a time when changing weather patterns are affecting our daily lives,” Executive Director of CCCFS, Engr. Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen said.

He stated that religious leaders are key influencers in their communities, and by equipping them with the knowledge to understand and relay weather information.

“We are ensuring that more Ghanaians, particularly those in vulnerable regions, can adapt and take necessary precautions against extreme weather events.”

In recent years, extreme weather conditions have severely impacted many communities in Ghana, particularly affecting schoolchildren living near rivers, streams, and coastal areas. CCCFS plans to extend the initiative to train teachers across the country, further strengthening community resilience and preparedness.

The training was facilitated by Senior Meteorologist at GMet, Joshua Asamoah, who emphasised the need for collaboration between meteorological services, community leaders, and the public. “Through training and knowledge-sharing, we can build a well-informed society that is prepared for the challenges posed by climate change,” he stated.

Expanding climate resilience efforts

CCCFS has been at the forefront of climate resilience and adaptation efforts in Ghana. The organization has previously trained journalists, farmers, and religious leaders on climate-related topics. In July 2020, CCCFS, through its Non-Profit Journalism Project, GJESHA, partnered with Down To Earth and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in India to train 10 journalists on climate change reporting.

In 2022, it further trained 20 journalists on interpreting weather forecasts to enhance their ability to communicate climate information effectively.

More than 100 farmers have also benefited from similar training programmes, with WhatsApp groups established to provide continuous learning on weather forecasts and climate trends.

CCCFS has made progress through in-kind contributions, including technical expertise, training resources, and digital platforms that facilitate knowledge-sharing. However, as the organization looks to scale its impact, it recognises the urgent need for broader collaboration with government agencies, development partners, and private institutions to expand its reach and sustainability.

 “We are motivated to ensure that every human is protected from the devastating effects of extreme weather,” said Engr. Mohammed-Nurudeen. “Our training efforts are part of the Early Warning for All initiative, which aims to guarantee that no one is caught off guard by extreme climate events.”

The Centre for Climate Change & Food Security (CCCFS) is a Ghana-based Non-Governmental Organization committed to promoting climate resilience, adaptation, health, technology, food security, and sustainable development, among others, through research, advocacy, and capacity-building.

CCCFS also runs a Non-Profit Journalism Project called Ghana Journalists for Environment, Science, Health & Agriculture (GJESHA), which supports journalists covering issues such as climate change, environment, health, and food security. With 60 members across Ghana, GJESHA promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing among media professionals.