Ghana on Tuesday launched its country “Early Warnings for All” (EW4All), to boost disaster preparedness.
The launching took place at the opening of a two-day multi-stakeholder national forum with delegates from the relevant public institutions responsible for various aspects of disaster early warning systems.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communication and Digitalization, who launched the EW4All, said the initiative to operate under the Ghana Meteorological Agency, was in response to the call by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for an EW4All in all countries to protect every person worldwide through early warning systems by 2027.
Owusu-Ekuful said a multi-hazard early warning system plays a crucial role in reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience of communities to potential hazards.
The minister cited the negative impact of the spillage of the Akosombo dam in southern Ghana last year, the prolonged dry spells in northern Ghana, and tidal waves in some coastal communities on livelihoods and food security.
Again, she lamented that the perennial floods and coastal inundation pose risks to urban development and coastal city resilience, “highlighting Ghana’s vulnerability to escalating extreme weather, climate, and water-related hazards.”
“An effective multi-hazard early warning system must be accessible and inclusive for all segments of society, leaving no one behind. I am glad stakeholders from different backgrounds who are essential to this discussion are gathered here for this national task,” Owusu-Ekuful added.
She said a successful implementation of EW4All would support several sustainable development goals (SDGs), including SDG3 on good health and wellbeing, SDG11 on cities and communities, SDG13 on climate action, SDG15 on life on land, and SDG17, which promotes partnerships and goals.
“Ghana is committed to building a resilient nation through effective multi-hazard early warning systems. Let us work together to ensure that every Ghanaian is protected by early warning systems. Together, we can build a safer and more sustainable future for Ghana,” Owusu-Ekuful urged the participants.
In his remarks, Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, said collaboration and coordination by all stakeholders are necessary in the process towards achieving resilience.
“It is important we are all involved in the key stages of designing, developing, usage, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of EW4All,” Abani stressed.