Experts Urge Early Action as El Niño Threatens West Africa's Food Security and Health

ACCRA, 13 November 2026. Climate and public-health experts have called on West African governments to prepare now for the 2026–2027 El Niño. They warn that delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells and higher temperatures could strain food production, water resources and health systems.

They spoke at the third WAJESHA Expert Knowledge Exchange Series, a virtual session by the West African Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (WAJESHA) titled "El Niño 2026–2027: Understanding Its Implications for Ghana and West Africa."

The speakers were Dr Caleb Mensah, Senior Lecturer at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), and Dr Patrick Otim, Programme Area Manager for Emergency Response at the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Rainfall, crops and water
Dr Mensah said El Niño is part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a recurring ocean-atmosphere pattern in the Pacific that can affect weather in West Africa.

The main risks are below-normal rainfall in the main rainy season, delayed onset and longer dry spells. He warned that the gap between the first and second rainfall events could stretch to two or three weeks, which could hurt rain-fed farmers with little irrigation.

He pointed to drought-tolerant seed varieties from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), but asked how many farmers will be able to access them. Heat and dry conditions could also favour pests such as termites and army ants.

Lower rainfall could also affect water supplies and, given Ghana's reliance on hydroelectricity, inflows into the Volta and Lower Volta systems. "The extent of the impact will depend on the measures we put in place," he said, adding that efforts "must begin now."

Health systems under pressure
Dr Otim described El Niño as a risk modifier whose health effects depend on the hazards, existing vulnerabilities and health-system capacity. He listed heat-related illness, malnutrition linked to food insecurity, and waterborne, foodborne and vector-borne diseases.

Floods and landslides could cause injuries and deaths and damage health facilities.

He said WHO has classified the event at Grade 3, the highest level in its internal emergency grading, and is supporting 18 countries with readiness assessments. "I do not think any country in West Africa is fully prepared to deal with this," he said.

He named limited food storage and inadequate national food reserves as key gaps. He urged a whole-of-government approach across health, food, water and disaster management, with task forces, contingency plans, risk maps and pre-positioned supplies.

Other priorities include health alerts, monitoring for meningitis and yellow fever, nutrition screening and protecting essential services.

Meningitis and access to care
Dr Otim noted that Ghana lies within the African meningitis belt, where meningococcal meningitis outbreaks are linked to dry conditions.

Surveillance is needed to detect early cases, confirm the bacteria and guide vaccination where necessary. People with headache, neck pain or neck stiffness should seek medical care promptly.

For communities with limited healthcare access, he recommended vulnerability mapping to find displaced people, peri-urban residents and people in poor urban housing. Mobile outreach and pre-planned temporary clinics could bring care closer.

The role of journalists
Both experts said journalists must turn warnings into action. Dr Otim urged them to use local languages and explain safe water, mosquito nets, heat protection and where to seek care. "Informing without alarming is key," he said, and he cautioned against sensational headlines and graphic images.

The session ended with a shared message: act before the impacts arrive, not after communities and services are already affected.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

Source: WAJESHA press statement, 13 November 2026. Technical views are those of the invited experts in their professional capacities.