For Boateng Richard Osei, a final-year BSc Meteorology and Climate Science student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), the programme is more than a course of study.

“Meteorology and Climate Science is not just a programme,” he said. “It is a life-changing opportunity that everyone must take up, especially in this phase of adverse climate change.”

Richard said his interest in nature began early, driven by curiosity about natural phenomena such as the transition between day and night. He later pursued General Science in senior high school, where he developed an interest in physics.

Although he initially planned to study physics at university, he said his path changed after discovering Meteorology and Climate Science while exploring programmes at KNUST.

“At first, I thought it was a geography-related programme,” he said. “But after a little investigation, I realised it was actually an applied physics programme.”

He described that realisation as the start of a transformative academic experience.

Richard said understanding climate systems is critical to addressing environmental challenges.

“This course has taught me that every action we take as humans contributes to climate change,” he said, citing transportation choices and waste disposal as contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

He added that the programme combines theory with practical skills, including analysing weather data using computer programming.

“It is not only about forecasting whether it will rain tomorrow,” he said. “It goes beyond that. It has given me exposure and skills I am truly grateful for.”

He also pointed to scientific concepts such as longwave radiation, explaining that much of the heat experienced on Earth is re-emitted from the surface and trapped by greenhouse gases.

Richard said climate change is already evident in erratic rainfall patterns and increased flooding, trends he described as increasingly relevant in Ghana.

“Even seemingly minor actions like improper waste disposal contribute to these environmental challenges,” he added.

As he prepares to graduate, he said education in meteorology and climate science will be critical to building a sustainable future.

“If we all have knowledge about meteorology and climate science, then the planet will be a better place for us and generations yet unborn,” he said.