The FASTA storm-forecasting app for Africa was formally launched in Ghana on Monday 24th March, as part of celebrations of World Meteorological Day [actually 23rd March, a Sunday this year].
The FASTA app has been developed by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) at the University of Leeds and gives real-time information about prevailing storms, as well as a short prediction of their movement over the next 2 hours. The app was upgraded in 2024 also to include descriptive warnings and maps of high-impact weather. These warnings are supplied by forecasters in the African national weather services and include colour-coded impact information.
Although the app has been freely available across most of Africa for more than a year, we are able to tailor its appearance to meet local needs in particular countries where we have partnership with the weather service. Links to routine daily weather forecasts can now also be included on FASTA, on a country by country basis, offering a more complete prediction service from hours to days. In this way, GMet, Ghana’s national weather service, can promote FASTA as part of a range of services which they offer to their communities.
FASTA was first released in Kenya in 2022, where it now has users in every corner of the country. Feedback from ordinary users, as well as organisations such as the Red Red Cross Society, who use FASTA to inform them of the risk of storm disruption to their aid convoys, has helped us improve the way in which the information is presented.
In Ghana, short-range warnings of storms help to save the lives of fishermen at sea, and help farmers to plan weather-sensitive parts of their agricultural cycle, such as irrigation or application of fertiliser. Road transportation of produce can be disrupted by flash floods. The launch on Monday coincides with the start of the rainy season: we hope that wide use of the FASTA app in Ghana will help protect people and their property in the coming months.
Citations:
During the celebration, Mr. Alfred Nortey (Director of Finance and Administration), representative from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations noted that “This collaboration between the University of Leeds and GMet is a testament to the Ghana Meteorological Agency’s forward-thinking approach and its commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for the safety and well-being of all Ghanaians.”
The theme of this year’s World Meteorological Day, “Closing the Gap,” particularly resonated with GMet’s efforts to promote inclusivity. GMet used the occasion to emphasise the importance of ensuring Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are not left behind in climate and disaster readiness.
“This event and meeting we are witnessing today is to bring inclusivity in our outreach to persons with disabilities, to ensure they are partakers and beneficiaries of information necessary for weather readiness and disaster mitigation,” said a GMet spokesperson.
Representatives from PWD organisations expressed positive feedback about FASTA, highlighting its potential to serve as an accessible channel for delivering short-range storm warnings to their members.
The Director-General of GMet, Eric Asuman that the launch of FASTA supports their strategic vision for digital innovation: “The introduction of FASTA aligns with the Government of Ghana’s broader commitment to leveraging digital innovation for national development. As part of our strategic vision, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations is working to strengthen Ghana’s digital infrastructure to ensure that technological advancements directly benefit citizens and institutions.”
In support of this, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that platforms like FASTA are not only accessible but widely adopted:
“Technology is only effective when it is accessible. As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to emphasise the need for widespread use of FASTA. The Ministry is committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that this tool reaches the people who need it most—farmers, fisherfolk, transport operators, and emergency responders.”
As part of GMet’s Meteorological Awareness Month (MAM) activities, representatives of the University of Leeds and GMet held a special engagement with geography students at the University of Ghana on 25th March. Students downloaded the app, tested its features, and provided valuable feedback that will help improve FASTA’s functionality and user experience in Ghana. GMet and the University plan to continue working with this group to gather feedback as the app evolves.
To close out MAM’s celebrations, GMet invited University of Leeds representatives to participate in a staff event on 28th March, where GMet employees were encouraged to download and test the app. The event further strengthened the collaborative spirit between the two institutions and highlighting their commitment to co-develop solutions tailored to Ghanaian needs.
Links to press: