Meteo man dismisses claims Independence Day rain was not predicted

The Meteorological Agency has denied claims it did not forecast on time the torrential rains that nearly marred the 57th Independence Anniversary Celebration, Thursday.

The showers started around 830 am and drenched the men and women of the security services throughout the parade.

Overwhelmed by the showers, the president in his independence anniversary address said they had received warning of the showers too late in the morning to take any action.

The torrential rain started moments after President Mahama began inspecting the parade. It forced the cancellation of some of the activities that were lined up for the day.

Although the President defied the heavy rain to light the perpetual flame, school children who were to undertake the march past had to abandon the parade grounds for shelter.

President John Mahama charged the Meteorological Service, to “sharpen our ability to be able to better predict the behaviour of the weather in order to be able to adapt to it.”

His comments did not go down well with the officials at the Meteorological Service.

A weather officer at the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Mr Richard Agyeman told Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey the president’s assertions are “baseless”.

According to him the Agency had informed NADMO of the rains about a week ago and at 3:00 am Thursday, the service again notified the country that the weather will be “variably cloudy and sunny over Southern Ghana with isolated rains,” he stated.

Source: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com