Japan is to introduce systems and technologies to forecast the weather and prevent disasters in the country.
The revolution, being spearheaded by two Japanese companies, Marubeni and Japan Radio Company, is to deploy the best of technologies for monitoring the weather and gathering data that will enable the country to detect early warning signs of disaster, take decision on aviation, agriculture and also develop water resources.
This came to light when a high-powered Japanese delegation engaged stakeholders in the sector in a consultative meeting in Accra.
The project, which is referred to as the integrated “Weather Surveillance and Disaster Reduction System” leverages the globally renowned Japanese technology and methodology for disaster preparedness, disaster mitigation and management to provide an integrated system for proactive weather surveillance and disaster forecasting for Ghana.
Addressing the conference, the deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr Mrs Bernice Adiku Heloo, said the unprecedented rainfall that nearly marred the beauty of the independence anniversary celebration in Accra was a sharp reminder that climate and weather-related events were often unpredictable, disruptive and catastrophic.
She said in the last couple of months this year, the world had witnessed incidents of severe weather conditions from snow in Atlanta in the USA, to snow in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and severe floods in Europe.
“In Ghana, we have also had our share. The floods of January 31, in Accra, and its surrounding suburbs clearly exposed our vulnerabilities as a country,” she said.
Dr Heloo commended Japanese companies for their proposed project that would ensure a drastic revolution of Ghana’s weather phenomena, detection, visibility and intelligence, weather forecasting that would enable responsible agencies to prepare for eminent danger.
Highlighting specific benefits, she said, the Ghana Metrological Services Department would be host to the various radar systems, weather stations, and the main computer system that integrated the entire system nationwide.
She said the fact that the office of the President had referred the project to the ministry showed how important it was to Ghana and its neighbouring countries.
The Corporate Advisor of Marubeni Transport Engineering, Mr Keisuke Kamei, said although Japan had no natural resources, it had all kinds of natural disasters.
He said taking lessons from the natural disaster, the Japanese government agencies studied and developed new and better surveillance and early warning systems together with private industries.
He said the project would contribute to agricultural production, water treatment, industrial water, hydro power plant, flood control among others.
The Chief Director of MESTI, Dr S. Anemana, said the tradition of collecting data without analysing it should be a thing of the past and added that, “we embrace the project.”
