The Ghana Hydrological Authority (HYDRO) has entered into a partnership with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH).
The collaboration, cemented by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both institutions to address critical water resource challenges in Ghana.
The ceremony, held in Accra, was attended by key stakeholders from both Ghana and the United Kingdom.
Dr. John Kissi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HYDRO, highlighted the importance of this partnership in his opening remarks, emphasising the transformative potential of the collaboration.
“Today marks the beginning of a significant l partnership. This MoU symbolizes our shared commitment to enhancing hydrological services in Ghana through collaborative efforts and mutual expertise,” Dr. Kissi stated.
“The UKCEH is renowned for its excellence in hydrological research and practice, and we are honoured to join forces with you in this endeavour.”
The MOU outlines several key areas of cooperation, including the development and enhancement of catchment monitoring and observation systems, advanced flood and drought modelling and climate resilience and adaptation strategies.
Dr. Kissi elaborated on these focus areas, underscoring their potential to revolutionise water management in Ghana.
“Together, we will develop and enhance systems for monitoring and observing catchment areas, ensuring better data collection and analysis,” Dr. Kissi explained.
“We will also be working together on flood and drought modelling, using advanced techniques to predict and manage the impact of these natural disasters, thereby reducing risk and enhancing our preparedness.”
One of the standout features of the UKCEH’s work, as highlighted by Dr. Kissi, is their sophisticated flood risk model for the United Kingdom.
“The UKCEH has produced a model of the whole of the United Kingdom. When you go on that model, you can put your address in and know exactly the extent to which where you live is at risk of flooding, whether from river, storm water or tidal effects. It is my dream that someday Ghana will have something like that,” he remarked.
Dr. Kissi also touched on the broader implications of the partnership, noting the benefits of knowledge exchange and capacity building.
“Some of our staff will be spending time in your office and I hope some of your staff will be spending time with us as well. I’m sure there is some little that you could also learn from us,” he said.
“We intend to also jointly make applications for international funding opportunities. UKCEH has massive experience in seeking funding, even outside the United Kingdom.”
“For the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the collaboration will enhance our technical expertise, strengthen our institutional capacity, and provide access to cutting-edge research and innovative solutions,” Dr. Kissi affirmed.
“For the UKCEH, we are confident that this partnership also offers you the opportunity to apply some of your research findings in the context of Ghana. It will also help us to get insights from working in diverse environments.”
In addition to the technical and operational benefits, the partnership will contribute to global water resource management and climate change adaptation efforts.
“It will also jointly contribute to global water resource management and climate change adaptation. We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity this collaboration will bring,” Dr. Kissi added.
“In Ghana, you record from Dixie, so you have to get used to it. Your continued support and your guidance on this journey will be very crucial as we embark on our collaborative effort to enhance Ghana’s hydrological services,” he concluded.
Dr. Stuart Wainwright, CEO of UKCEH, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration and shared his positive impressions of Ghana during his first visit.
“This is my first time in Accra. I arrived on Saturday night and I absolutely love the place. It’s been such a warm welcome from everyone, including all of you,” Dr. Wainwright said.
“Such an amazing, deep culture, amazing food as well, which I’ve been enjoying, so thank you for the warm welcome. It means so much.”
Dr. Wainwright highlighted the significance of opening UKCEH’s first and currently only office outside the UK in Accra, emphasizing the strategic choice of location.
“This is a big deal for us because this is our first and currently only office outside of the UK, and it’s not by chance that it’s in Accra,” he noted.
Dr. Wainwright acknowledged the devastating impacts these events can have on economies and public health.
“Floods and droughts are something that both our nations experience a lot, and both of us have to deal with them. We’re both aware of how devastating they can be,” he said.
“There’s two aspects of this: both being able to deal with these events when they happen and, in the context of climate change, being better able to prepare for them and build resilience in our nations,” he concluded.
