Alban Bagbin directs probe into Ghana's El Niño preparedness

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has officially directed the Committee on Defence and Interior to investigate Ghana's level of preparedness for the upcoming El Niño weather event. The directive mandates the committee to summon the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), and other relevant stakeholders to present comprehensive mitigation plans. This parliamentary action follows warnings that the weather phenomenon, expected to intensify in early 2027, could have severe implications for the country's agriculture, water resources, and public health sectors.

The decision to probe readiness was sparked by a statement delivered on the floor of the House by Patricia Appiagyei, the Member of Parliament for Asokwa. She highlighted forecasts from GMet indicating that a strong El Niño cycle is likely to persist through the first quarter of 2027. Members of Parliament expressed concern that previous occurrences of the weather pattern led to significant economic disruptions, and they emphasised the need for the state to move beyond reactive disaster management toward a more proactive, science-led strategy.

As part of the investigative process, the parliamentary committee is expected to review the 2027 Budget estimates to ensure that sufficient financial resources are allocated to disaster prevention and relief. The administration of President John Mahama is reportedly already coordinating with technical agencies to develop multi-sectoral strategies aimed at protecting livelihoods and food security. By ensuring these plans are rigorously vetted by Parliament, the Speaker aims to hold the responsible institutions accountable for safeguarding the nation against the predicted extreme weather conditions.