By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana has taken a major step towards climate-informed development with the launch of a National Climate Atlas in Accra, a tool expected to transform how the country plans for its future in the face of climate change.
Developed by the Ghana Meteorological Agency in partnership with the Danish Meteorological Institute, the Atlas marks a shift from broad climate estimations to precise, data-driven decision-making. The launch comes at a time when climate change is posing a growing threat to Ghana’s socio-economic stability.
Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts and coastal erosion are increasingly disrupting livelihoods and key sectors such as agriculture, energy, transport and fisheries. Without strengthened adaptation measures, the World Bank projects that up to one million additional Ghanaians could fall into poverty.
Observed data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency already shows a clear warming trend. The 2020 national average temperature of 27.6 degrees Celsius is about 0.5 degrees higher than the 1991–2020 climatological baseline.
These developments align with global commitments under the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, as even small increases significantly heighten the risk of extreme weather events and threaten national development.
Unlike previous climate models that relied on low-resolution global data, the new Climate Atlas is built on high-resolution projections at approximately a 4-kilometre scale. It combines Ghana’s observed weather data with advanced regional and global climate models.
This enables planners to access localized climate information tailored to specific districts, communities and sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, water management and energy planning.
The Atlas also indicates that Ghana is likely to experience rising temperatures by the end of the century, increasing the risk of heat stress and placing additional pressure on food systems, public health and energy demand, particularly for cooling.
Director-General of the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Eric Asuman, stressed that the platform will strengthen Ghana’s National Adaptation Plan. He noted that it will equip ministries, departments, regional and district assemblies, as well as the private sector, with critical data for risk assessment and long-term development planning.
Beyond government use, the Atlas is expected to empower local communities. It provides information on agro-ecological zones, enabling farmers to adjust planting strategies, adopt climate-resilient crops and better prepare for extreme weather events. It will also support early warning systems and disaster preparedness efforts, helping to reduce the impact of floods, droughts and coastal erosion.
Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Jakob Linulf, described the initiative as a symbol of strong international cooperation, noting that climate change continues to reshape economies and livelihoods across the world.
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, highlighted the Atlas as part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, describing it as a “scientific compass” for national development. He added that the platform will support planning in the energy sector, particularly for hydropower and renewable investments, while also strengthening Ghana’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.
With its strong blend of science, technology and policy relevance, the Ghana Climate Atlas is expected to play a critical role in shaping the country’s development trajectory, turning climate data into actionable solutions for communities and the wider economy.
