Climate and public-health experts have urged West African governments to act early to prepare for the possible effects of the 2026–2027 El Niño event, warning that delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures could worsen food insecurity, water shortages and health risks across the region.
The warning was issued during the third edition of the West African Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (WAJESHA) Expert Knowledge Exchange Series, held virtually on November 13, 2026.
The session, titled “El Niño 2026–2027: Understanding Its Implications for Ghana and West Africa,” brought together climate and public-health specialists to examine the potential consequences of the phenomenon and discuss measures governments and communities could take to reduce its impact.
Dr Caleb Mensah, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), said the anticipated climate conditions could have significant implications for agriculture, water resources and energy production.
According to Mensah, El Niño is part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a recurring climate pattern involving interactions between the Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere. Although the phenomenon originates in the Pacific, he said, its effects can extend to other parts of the world, including West Africa.
He identified below-normal rainfall, delayed onset of the rainy season and prolonged dry spells as some of the major concerns for the region.
“The interval between the first and second rainfall events could extend to two or three weeks,” Mensah said, warning that such interruptions could adversely affect crops, particularly in communities where farmers depend largely on rain-fed agriculture.
He said farmers could struggle to maintain normal production if rainfall is inadequate while temperatures remain high, potentially putting additional pressure on food supplies and markets.
Mensah also highlighted the importance of access to drought-resistant seeds developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
“The CSIR has developed seed varieties that can withstand drought for longer periods. The question is how many farmers will have access to these seeds,” he said.
He further warned that high temperatures and low water availability could create conditions favourable to some agricultural pests, including termites, army ants and other insects, potentially increasing pressure on farmers.
Beyond agriculture, Mensah said reduced rainfall could affect water availability and hydrological systems. Ghana’s dependence on hydroelectric power also means prolonged reductions in rainfall could affect water inflows into the Volta and Lower Volta systems.
He stressed that the severity of the eventual impact would depend largely on how early governments and other stakeholders respond.
> “The extent of the impact will depend on the measures we put in place. That is why our efforts must begin now,” he said.
Health systems face additional pressure
Dr Patrick Otim, Programme Area Manager for Emergency Response at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, said climate-related emergencies had become an increasing concern for public-health systems across the continent.
He described El Niño as a risk modifier, explaining that its health consequences would depend on the hazards experienced, the vulnerabilities of affected populations and the capacity of health systems to respond.
Potential risks include heat-related illnesses, malnutrition resulting from food insecurity, waterborne and foodborne diseases, and vector-borne infections.
Otim also warned that floods and landslides associated with climate variability could result in injuries and deaths, damage health facilities, disrupt access to healthcare and increase pressure on already stretched health systems.
He said WHO had been issuing early-warning alerts to member states and supporting preparedness measures. According to him, the organisation has classified the event as Grade 3 under its three-level internal emergency grading system and is supporting 18 countries with readiness assessments and efforts to identify capacity gaps.
“I do not think any country in West Africa is fully prepared to deal with this,” Otim said.
He identified inadequate food storage and limited national food reserves as significant preparedness challenges, urging governments to strengthen reserves and social-support mechanisms for vulnerable populations that could face severe food insecurity following crop failures.
Governments urged to plan before crisis
Otim called for a whole-of-government approach involving health, agriculture, water and disaster-management authorities.
He said governments should assess the possible consequences of reduced rainfall, falling water tables and declining borehole yields, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Among the measures he recommended were the establishment of national and sub-national task forces, preparation of contingency plans and risk maps, identification of high-risk areas and pre-positioning of essential supplies before emergencies occur.
He also called for strengthened health alerts and surveillance systems, particularly for meningitis and yellow fever, alongside nutrition screening and measures to protect essential health services.
Meningitis remains a concern
The WHO official also drew attention to the potential risk of meningitis during prolonged dry conditions, particularly because Ghana is located within Africa’s meningitis belt.
He said meningococcal meningitis was associated with outbreaks, particularly in dry conditions, making effective surveillance essential for detecting suspected cases, confirming infections and enabling a timely response, including vaccination where necessary.
“Effective surveillance is essential for detecting the first cases and enabling a timely response,” he said.
Otim urged people experiencing symptoms such as severe headache, neck pain or neck stiffness to seek medical attention promptly.
He also stressed the need to identify communities with limited access to healthcare, including displaced populations, peri-urban communities and people living in urban settlements with inadequate housing.
According to him, mobile and outreach health services could help bring care closer to vulnerable populations, including through malnutrition screening and surveillance for meningitis and respiratory complications.
Journalists urged to turn warnings into action
The experts also emphasised the role of journalists in translating technical climate and health information into practical guidance for communities.
Otim encouraged journalists to use local languages where appropriate and focus their reporting on concrete actions, including safe water practices, protection against heat, use of mosquito nets, access to healthcare and emergency preparedness.
He cautioned against sensational reporting and unnecessary alarm.
> “It is important to inform the public without creating panic. Informing without alarming is key,” he said.
He urged journalists to verify information, correct misinformation and avoid sensational headlines and graphic images that could heighten public anxiety.
Mensah said he and his colleagues had also been using the media to communicate concerns about the potential consequences of El Niño.
The discussion underscored the need for early warnings to be matched by concrete action from governments and other stakeholders before communities and essential services come under pressure.
The WAJESHA Expert Knowledge Exchange Series is designed to provide journalists with access to specialists on environmental, climate, science, health and agricultural issues affecting Ghana and the wider West African region.
WAJESHA is a non-profit journalism project of the Centre for Climate Change and Food Security (CCCFS) focused on strengthening journalism and public understanding of environmental, climate, science, health and agricultural issues across West Africa.