The Regional Programme Manager of the WMO, Dr Ernest Afiesimama, said Africa was already facing severe challenges from climate change such as floods and droughts, which were affecting the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people.

He warned that the situation would worsen in the coming years, as Africa was more vulnerable and less resilient to the effects of climate change, due to its high exposure, fragility and low capacity.

Dr Afiesimama was speaking at a workshop in Accra last Tuesday, where climate experts from across the continent gathered to review the annual state of climate (SoC) report for Africa.

The report is a comprehensive assessment of the climate variability, trends and impacts in Africa, produced by the African Union Commission and the WMO, with technical support from the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development and other regional climate centres.

The three-day workshop aimed at refining the report and exploring additional products to provide relevant and reliable information for optimal climate actions to support Africa's negotiation positions on mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage.

Gaps

Dr Afiesimama, who presented the report, said that about 60 per cent of people in Africa lacked access to early warning systems, which made them unable to take preventive measures to protect their lives and properties from climate hazards.

He cited some examples of the devastating impacts of climate change in Africa, such as the drought-related hazards that killed more than half a million people and caused over $70 billion in economic losses in the past 50 years.

He also mentioned the drought in Southern Africa in 2015 that led to up to two per cent reduction in GDP growth in some countries, as well as the floods caused by heavy rains and cyclones that affected millions of people and resulted in billions of dollars in losses and damages across the continent.

He said Ghana was not spared from these climate threats, as it experienced severe flooding in many parts of the country last year.

"So this is the message to all governments; we need to begin to do things differently to avoid these climate threats. In this workshop, we expect experts to come up with how we can do things differently," he said.

Solutions

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Isaac Amoo, said Ghana had been suffering from its share of climate change disasters, such as flooding and tidal waves.

He said while Ghana was dealing with these problems, its neighbouring countries in the Sahara region were facing drought and desertification.

Mr Amoo expressed hope that the workshop would enable the experts to share knowledge, experiences and strategies that would benefit the continent.