El Niño conditions threaten prolonged dry spells, food production in Ghana – GMet

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned that persistent El Niño conditions could expose parts of Ghana to prolonged dry spells, potentially affecting agricultural production and food security. El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a naturally occurring climate pattern involving fluctuations in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions over the tropical Pacific Ocean.

Its effects can influence rainfall and temperature patterns in different parts of the world. Deputy Director of Research and Applied Meteorology at GMet, Francisca Martey, said the country should expect warmer days and below-normal rainfall in the coming months as the weather phenomenon continues to influence rainfall patterns. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, November 2, she said the effects were already being experienced, with much of the country recording relatively dry conditions and limited rainfall since September.

She explained that GMet’s September-October-November seasonal forecast had anticipated below-normal rainfall across most parts of the country, alongside above-normal temperatures and extended dry spells. “We’re going to have long dry spells. We’re going to have below-normal rainfall,” she said. According to her, the conditions are expected to persist into the December-January-February period, coinciding with the Harmattan season, which is typically characterised by dry air and dusty winds.

“We are expecting that with this timing it will continue. The Harmattan will come in. The Harmattan will be drier,” she said. Read Also: GMet warns of hotter, drier and dustier conditions as strong El Niño develops She added that temperatures were also expected to rise during the period. “We expect that December, January, and February will be warmer,” she stated.

Mrs Martey warned that the northern parts of the country could face more severe consequences because of their greater vulnerability to El Niño-related rainfall deficits and their importance to Ghana’s food production. “Although the El Niño affects the whole country, its impact is higher on the northern areas,” she said. She cautioned that prolonged dry conditions could affect water availability for farming, particularly as stored rainwater in some communities and farming areas gradually dries up.

“The little rainwater that they have kept or saved would also dry up,” she said. To mitigate the potential impact on agriculture, she urged farmers to adopt climate-smart practices, particularly mulching, to help conserve soil moisture. “We are expecting that they will practise more mulching systems and climate-smart agricultural systems,” she said.

She also advised farmers to remain vigilant against crop pests and diseases that could become a challenge under the prevailing weather conditions. Beyond agriculture, Mrs Martey warned that reduced rainfall across parts of West Africa could affect water resources shared by Ghana and neighbouring countries. She noted that lower rainfall in the region could have implications for the Volta River system and water availability.

During the interview, she also agreed that reduced inflows into the Akosombo Dam could affect hydroelectric power generation. GMet is engaging stakeholders in agriculture, health and water resources management, as well as the general public, to raise awareness and strengthen preparedness. Mrs Martey urged Ghanaians to take precautions against the expected hot and dusty conditions, including staying hydrated and protecting themselves from dust.