Floods paralyse Ghana capital, kill three

Accra, Ghana's capital, was paralyzed by torrential rains on Monday, leading to widespread flooding that claimed at least three lives, according to authorities and local media reports. President John Mahama pointed to climate change and unchecked urbanization as the primary culprits behind the disaster.

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That aspect of the problem is beyond our control because it is driven by changing climatic conditions.

Flooding is a recurring issue during Ghana's rainy season, but residents note that inundations in the capital have worsened in recent years. This escalation is attributed to rapid urban development, the construction on and obstruction of natural waterways, and insufficient investment in drainage infrastructure. The city experienced approximately 140 millimeters of rain in a single day, the highest recorded in several years and nearly triple last year's peak, President Mahama stated on X.

While acknowledging the role of changing climatic conditions, which he described as beyond direct control, Mahama also emphasized the impact of human behavior. He noted the public's reaction when the government removes structures built in waterways, often labeling such actions as inhumane. However, he cautioned that the consequences of disasters like the day's flooding affect everyone.

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Whenever government begins removing structures built in waterways, some people accuse us of being inhumane. Yet when disasters such as today’s flooding occur, the consequences affect everyone.

In the eastern suburb of Tse Addo, emergency responders and local volunteers utilized boats to rescue at least 15 children and an infant after rains, which began at 3:00 am, submerged the area. In the low-lying Alajo district, floodwaters damaged vehicles and homes, and the body of a man in his 60s was recovered. Journalists in the area reported two additional fatalities resulting from rising waters coming into contact with electrical wiring in a home.

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Unfortunately my house is flooded.

The Ministry of the Interior advised residents to refrain from non-essential travel as police, military, and firefighters were deployed to aid in rescue operations. The greater Accra metropolitan area, home to over five million people, frequently experiences disruptions to transport, damage to property, and loss of life during periods of heavy rainfall. Retired journalist Philip Mensah, 67, described his home as flooded, with his vinyl record collection submerged. Schoolteacher Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei recounted spending hours trying to keep water out of her room, having mopped it over eight times.

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I can’t even step out because my room is flooded, and outside is flooded.