{
  "id": 19180138,
  "title": "GMet urges churches, mosques to support El Niño preparedness",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/gmet-urges-churches-mosques-to-support-el-nino-preparedness",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T16:35:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/gmet-urges-churches-mosques-to-support-el-nino-preparedness/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) is encouraging religious institutions such as churches and mosques to aid in the community's readiness for the anticipated effects of the strengthening El Niño phenomenon. GMet believes these places of worship can function as early-warning and assistance centers by disseminating weather information, educating their congregations, and coordinating aid for the vulnerable during climate-related emergencies.\n\nFrancisca Martey, Deputy Director of Research and Applied Meteorology at GMet, emphasized the significance of coordinated readiness during a breakfast meeting organized by GreenFaith Ghana to introduce a faith-led resilience program. The initiative, called \"Strengthening the Capacities of Religious Leaders and Places of Worship to Anticipate, Prepare for, and Respond to the Risks Posed by the Current El Niño Event,\" aims to position religious entities as collaborators in climate-risk communication and community resilience. The gathering gathered religious leaders and individuals involved in climate action, humanitarian response, and community development to discuss ways in which places of worship could contribute to early warning and emergency assistance.\n\nMs. Martey discussed the potential consequences of El Niño, warning that agriculture, water resources, electricity generation, public health, and infrastructure might face considerable strain in the coming months. She identified rain-fed agriculture as particularly vulnerable, stating that prolonged dry spells and delayed rainfall could negatively impact food production across various regions of the country. \"Rain-fed farming is most exposed. Cocoa yields and bean quality fall, and black pod incidence rises,\" she said.\n\nRegarding water resources, Ms. Martey stated that reduced rainfall in the Volta Basin might decrease inflows into the Volta Lake. However, she cautioned that sudden, intense rainfall following prolonged dry spells could produce flooding, necessitating emergency spillage, as witnessed in October 2023. \"Weaker basin rains cut lake inflows. Yet short, intense storms after dry spells can force emergency spillage, as in October 2023. Plan for both over the next 12-18 months,\" she said.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) is urging churches, mosques and other religious institutions to support community preparedness for the anticipated impacts of the intensifying El Niño phenomenon.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}