General News of Wednesday, 27 April 2016

Source: atinkaonline.com

Geographer challenges Meteo over 'normal' heat wave

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Dr Emmanuel Amamoo-Otchere, former Executive Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Services (CERGIS) at the University of Ghana, has challenged claims by the Ghana Meteorological Agency that the current weather condition is normal so there should be no panic among the public.

He argued that this particular weather condition comes with some hazards which make it abnormal and dared the Meteo Agency to rather sensitize the public over the "so that our behavior pattern changes."

The excessive heat being experienced in the country has been described as normal by the Ghana (GMA) and that its observations indicate that temperatures all over Ghana were within the normal range of 20-43 degrees Celsius experienced within this season.

However, speaking on Atinka FM AM Drive hosted by Kwame Adinkra Tuesday, Dr Amamoo explained that the current weather condition is as a result of climate change and that the air is overcharged with invisible particles in the atmosphere.

He said these particles absorb and store excessive heat from the sun rays which makes the weather too hot for body temperature causing dehydration, excessive sweating and heat stroke and therefore said the current hot weather condition is not normal contrary to GMA's claims .
Professor Amamo cautioned that, in such situations children are mostly vulnerable and must be protected .

He advised that since the current weather condition affects our lives, we need to also take precautionary measures against its harmful effects.