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The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has defended its decision to charge GH¢10,400 for a specialised meteorological data request, insisting the fee was calculated in line with the Fees (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, and not arbitrarily imposed.
The clarification follows public comments by Treasury official Benjamin Tenkorang during an interview on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on June 17, 2026, where concerns were raised about the cost of accessing weather data from the agency.
In a statement issued on June 29, 2026, GMet said it was compelled to explain the circumstances surrounding the request "in the interest of transparency, accountability and public understanding."
According to the agency, Mr Tenkorang had, on March 12, 2026, formally requested extensive meteorological data covering 10 years, from 2016 to 2025, together with a customised analytical report.
The request included annual rainfall figures, average rainfall, methodologies used in measuring rainfall volumes, the three locations with the highest and lowest annual rainfall each year, the duration of the rainy season, annual temperatures, locations recording the highest and lowest temperatures, as well as the duration of the Harmattan season and the number of Harmattan days recorded annually.
GMet stressed that the request went far beyond the routine weather information it provides to the public free of charge.
"It is important to note that the request was not for routine weather information provided to the public at no cost. Rather, the above constitutes a highly specialised request involving extensive historical datasets, multiple meteorological parameters and the preparation of a customised technical analysis," the agency explained.
According to GMet, fulfilling the request required technical officers to retrieve archived datasets, validate the integrity of the data, conduct quality assurance checks, analyse meteorological records from 22 synoptic weather stations across the country over a 10-year period, and prepare a customised report.
"Following a technical assessment, the Agency determined that fulfilling the request would require technical officers to retrieve archived datasets, validate their integrity, perform quality assurance checks, analyse meteorological records from twenty-two (22) synoptic weather stations nationwide over ten years, and prepare a customised report for the client," the statement noted.
The agency explained that, under the approved Fees Regulations, the cost of processing the request was calculated at GH¢13 per parameter, per station, per year.
It said the request covered four weather parameters—rainfall, maximum, minimum and average temperatures—across 22 weather stations over 10 years.
This amounted to GH¢10,140, while the customised analytical report attracted an additional GH¢260, bringing the total bill to GH¢10,400.
"Based on the volume of data involved and the analytical work required, the total cost of processing and delivering the request amounted to Ten Thousand, Four Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢10,400.00)," GMet stated.
The agency rejected suggestions that the charges were determined at the discretion of individual officials, explaining that the fees are prescribed by law and applied uniformly to all clients seeking similar specialised services.
"GMet's fees are applied within an established statutory framework and are not determined at the discretion of individual officers," it emphasised.
The agency further clarified that it continues to provide daily weather forecasts, severe weather warnings and other public advisory services free of charge, with fees applying only to specialised requests involving historical data retrieval, technical processing, customised analysis or commercial use.
"GMet continues to provide daily weather forecasts, severe weather warnings and many public advisory services free of charge in fulfilment of its public mandate. Charges apply only to specialised requests requiring historical data retrieval, technical processing, customised analysis or commercial use," the statement said.
It also encouraged researchers, institutions and members of the public seeking specialised meteorological information to engage directly with the agency to better understand the available data products, services and applicable charges before making a request.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and to maintaining reliable weather and climate information to support public safety, socio-economic development and informed decision-making across the country.
see the full statement below
NA/BAI
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