Joseph Portuphy, Deputy Director of Synoptic Meteorology and Forecasting at GMet
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has urged the general public to routinely check the weather forecast to help them adequately plan their movements during the wet season.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb on March 26, 2025, Mr. Joseph Portuphy, the Deputy Director of Synoptic Meteorology and Forecasting, encouraged Ghanaians to develop the habit of checking the weather forecast regularly to stay informed about rainfall patterns.
“This year, those of us in the capital city, especially Accra, will experience a lot of rain. So, we must be environmentally prepared to withstand whatever is coming.
“I suggest that people listen to the weather forecast regularly. Even if you visit our website, you can access satellite imagery. By looking at it, you can see where the rain is coming from. When we say it will rain or not, you can see it pictorially for yourself,” he said.
He cautioned against dumping refuse into gutters during heavy rainfall, stating that it is one of the major causes of flooding in the capital city.
“As the rains have started, I advise that we desilt choked gutters, avoid building on waterways, and refrain from dumping refuse into gutters during a downpour. On Tuesday, while driving home during the rain, I saw some people carrying their refuse to dump into the gutter, expecting the water to carry it away.
“This rubbish eventually gets stuck somewhere, and when water cannot find its way due to such activities, it overflows into people’s homes. Remember that the water entering homes is sometimes mixed with fecal matter. When this happens, it becomes contaminated and can lead to a cholera outbreak,” he said.
When asked about the timelines for the onset of the rains this year, Portuphy indicated that GMet’s forecast predicted the wet season would begin in the fourth week of March for the eastern coast.
The eastern coast covers areas along the coastal belt of the country, spanning from Aflao in the Volta Region to Cape Coast in the Central Region.
He cited the downpour on March 25, 2025, as a clear indication that the wet season had begun and urged the public to take precautions to avoid the dangers posed by heavy rainfall.
Watch full discussion in video below:
VPO/MA