Flood Early Warning Systems in the White Volta Basin, Ghana: Challenges and Opportunities

ABSTRACT Flooding in Ghana's White Volta basin has caused widespread displacement, fatalities, and damage to infrastructure and livelihoods in agriculturally dependent communities. Despite the presence of national agencies such as the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) and Ghana Hydrological Authority (GHA), early warning capabilities remain constrained by limited real-time data, outdated infrastructure, and weak coordination. As a result, many residents continue to rely on traditional knowledge and informal coping strategies. This study qualitatively assesses the operational state of Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) in the White Volta basin, focusing on their effectiveness, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. Using semi-structured interviews with 18 key stakeholders spanning government agencies, technical experts, and community leaders, we analysed the institutional and technical dynamics of Ghana's FEWS through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that although the myDEWETRA-VOLTALARM platform offers 5-day flood forecasts through social media, SMS, and radio, its warnings are often mistrusted or inaccessible to rural populations. Thematic analysis identified four critical gaps: institutional fragmentation, exclusion of local knowledge, inadequate data infrastructure, and last-mile communication failures. These are complicated by the basin's unique environmental conditions, including transboundary dam releases, intense seasonal rainfall, flat terrain, and poor drainage. We conclude that the current FEWS framework remains insufficient for proactive flood risk governance. Strengthening institutional coordination, integrating community-based adaptation practices, and investing in localized data and communication infrastructure are essential to improving system legitimacy and resilience. The study contributes to broader discourses on early warning systems in resource-constrained settings.