EPA and Red Cross Society Hold Workshop on Anticipatory Action to Prevent Disasters

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Ghana Red Cross Society, has organised a national workshop to strengthen the country’s ability to act early and reduce the impact of climate-related hazards.

The workshop, held at the Miklin Hotel in Accra, brought together government agencies, meteorological experts, humanitarian organisations, and development partners.

The event focused on the Anticipatory Action Approach, a preventive strategy that uses scientific forecasts to guide decisions and trigger early interventions before hazards escalate into disasters. Participants explored how forecasts on weather, climate, and environmental risks can be integrated into national and local disaster preparedness plans.

Discussions centred on improving inter-agency coordination, enhancing communication of early warnings, and expanding Ghana’s capacity to adopt forecast-based financing—an emerging model that releases resources when risk thresholds are reached.

Experts from the EPA, Ghana Meteorological Agency, NADMO, and the Red Cross led sessions on early warning systems, data sharing, community engagement, and the development of standard trigger mechanisms for early action.

A key outcome of the workshop was the decision to establish a multi-agency platform dedicated to interpreting forecasts and coordinating anticipatory responses. Stakeholders also agreed to draft standardised trigger thresholds and improve community awareness, especially in districts prone to floods, droughts, and environmental emergencies.

The EPA and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to building a more resilient Ghana, emphasising that early action remains one of the most effective ways to protect lives, livelihoods, and essential infrastructure in the face of increasing climate-related risks.