The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) at the week end announced that rains would start in the third week of April in the north and is likely to prolong beyond October, 2012.

Until June, the trend would be normal, average or slightly above average rains that will not be as heavy as that of last year but as the Atlantic warms up gradually, it would influence heavy rains after June.

Meanwhile, the southern sector would experience late on set of rains that would be scanty and erratic.

Mr Charles K. Yorke, Head of Research Department GMA, announced this in Bolgatanga at a workshop on the basics of climate change and participatory scenario planning (PSP), organized for district stakeholders and rural farmers drawn from East Mamprusi and Garu Tempane districts.

He said further studies in May 2012 were expected to show the detailed characteristics of rainfall from June that would then indicate how the rains would influence farming and the possibility of floods.

He advised farmers to start sowing when the soil was well saturated with water so as to ensure good germination and survival even in the case of short dry spells.

Mr Yorke, on lightening, said metal objects, high poles and tall trees should be avoided during lightening because they may be electrified and one could easily be struck by lightening when holding, leaning or resting near them.

He advised farmers to avoid using the cutlass when there is lightening and shy away from tall trees but rather take shelter in their farm huts when it is raining.

The workshop, organized by CARE International, Ghana, was intended to help district stakeholders and rural farmers to effectively utilize weather information in their planning process.**