The Ghana Meteorological Agency has stated that due to funding constraints, it is unable to give reliable meteorological information following the onset of the rains.
This is because certain state agencies have neglected to pay the Agency for services rendered to them.
The Ghana Airport Company Limited and Ghana Civil Aviation Authority have been identified as among of the Agency’s debt defaulters, owing to the tune of US$ 80 million.
Felicity Ahafianyo, Head of Central Analysis & Forecast at Ghana Meteorological Agency, made this assertion on Eyewitness News while discussing some of the Agency’s challenges.
“Some companies are owing the Ghana Meteorological Agency, and they are not paying. I can say that, Ghana Airport Company is not paying for the services we are rendering to them. The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is also not paying us for the services we are rendering. They are not paying, but once a while, they come and give us something. Meanwhile, they are owing us US$ 80 million dollars”, she said.
Several houses were destroyed as a result of recent floods in various sections of the country.
The problem is mostly blamed on the lack of a well-equipped Meteorological Agency to assist in providing early information to prevent flood-related fatalities.
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However, Felicity Ahafianyo claims that these companies’ failure to honor their payment obligations is impeding their activities.
“Per our indication, we are doing well, but there is more room for improvement. In terms of equipment, they are very expensive, and the agency alone cannot do it. In terms of resources and cash, we are limited. But then, we have challenges, and we need cash. So if they don’t give us what they owe us, how can we improve?”
After hours of rain on Wednesday, parts of Ghana were flooded.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency has predicted additional heavy rainfall throughout the rainy season.
SOURCE: CITINEWS
