Ghana Faces Rising Temperature Threat as El Niño Approaches

A developing El Niño is expected to bring hotter, drier conditions and possible sudden heavy rainfall to Ghana from November 2026 through April 2027. The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned that this could affect farming, water supplies, power generation, and public health. As temperatures rise, Ghanaians, especially those who work outdoors, are beginning to feel the heat. Many market women, farmers, and construction workers are spending hours under the scorching sun, which could lead to severe health crises.

Professor Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, an Environmental Health Expert from the University of Ghana's School of Public Health, has urged the government to roll out early warning systems to safeguard communities. He advises that authorities need local temperature information and clear steps to enable them to respond appropriately when thresholds are crossed. According to Prof Dzodzomenyo, weak surveillance and limited protocols leave uncertainty about when authorities should intervene. He emphasizes that monitoring temperatures, setting action thresholds, and issuing timely alerts can help communities and health facilities prepare.

El Niño is a natural climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. It can disrupt weather patterns worldwide, occurring irregularly every 2 to 7 years and typically lasting from nine to 12 months. Meteorologists say it happens when trade winds that blow west along the equator and push warm water toward Asia become weak or reverse direction, allowing warm water to shift back eastward toward the Americas.

The expected El Niño event could bring heat-related health risks, including heatstroke, heat exhaustion, severe dehydration, and kidney-related conditions. Prof Dzodzomenyo identifies children, pregnant women, and older people as especially vulnerable to heat. He advises that water, shade, ventilation, and rest can reduce exposure and recommends shifting work to cooler hours, taking regular breaks, drinking water, and seeking shade. Employers are also called upon to introduce rest cycles and adjust schedules during extreme heat.

The Ministry of Health and other stakeholders are urged to monitor temperatures and issue timely alerts so that communities and health facilities can prepare. Prof Dzodzomenyo emphasizes that recognising symptoms early and seeking medical help can reduce complications. He advises people to watch for tiredness, dizziness, headaches, and excessive sweating, and to move somewhere cool, rest, and drink water if they feel unwell.

The expected El Niño event is an opportunity to improve coordination among weather, health, agriculture, and disaster management agencies. Professor Dzodzomenyo says heat surveillance and protection for vulnerable groups must form part of Ghana's climate response. Communities, workplaces, schools, and health facilities must be ready to act. Past El Niño episodes in 1982/83, 1997/98, and 2015/16 underline Ghana's vulnerability to rainfall changes affecting agriculture, water, power generation, and health.

To mitigate the effects of the expected El Niño event, Professor Dzodzomenyo wants weather information linked to public health alerts through the media. He advises that warnings must reach vulnerable communities in time and be practical, giving workers opportunities to rest, drink water, and find shade. Community leaders, employers, and health workers can ensure advice reaches people who may not receive alerts, especially informal workers who have little control over their hours.

Key points

• El Niño is projected to impact Ghana's weather from November 2026 to April 2027, bringing hotter, drier conditions and health risks.
• Weak surveillance and limited protocols leave uncertainty about when authorities should intervene to address heat-related health risks.
• Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and older people, are at greater risk of heat-related illnesses.