EUMETSAT User forum opens in Accra (Page 3)

3/10/08

Story: Mary Mensah
THE European Organisation for the Exploration of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) is to hold its 8th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa in Ghana.
The programme, which starts today, is on the theme, “Use of Satellite Data for Monitoring Climate Change and Water Resources”.
More than 150 meteorological experts from Africa and Europe are expected to attend the forum.
Briefing the press in Accra, the International Relations Officer of EUMETSAT, Dr Vincent Gabaglio, said the organisation organised the user forum in Africa on a biennial basis and each time in a different African country.
He said the aim was to reinforce the already well-established dialogue between EUMETSAT and African user communities and their national meteorological services in order to optimise the use of satellite data and products in Africa.
Dr Gabaglio said the forum would also offer an excellent opportunity for the users of satellite to provide direct feedback and recommendations to EUMETSAT, which would be considered when preparing future activities.
He said during the forum, demonstration stands would be set up at the entrance of the Accra International Conference Centre, where the forum would be held, to showcase the use of EUMETSAT satellite images, data and products in various applications — meteorology, oceanography, marine, etc.
Dr Gabaglio said at the end of the forum, it was expected that a clear set of recommendations would be agreed upon by all parties.
A Director at the Scientific Division of the Meteorological Department, Mr Andrew Nkansah, said Ghana started using satellite in 1989 and currently had two receiving stations.
He said one of the new systems had been installed at the Kotoka Airport to serve the aviation industry, while a back-up had been placed at the headquarters of the meteo office to monitor other activities.
He said EUMETSAT had enhanced the capacity of the images that came through satellite, saying that was very useful for meteo operations in the country and elsewhere in Africa.