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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

Three dead as floods wreak havoc in Ghana’s capital

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Torrential rains caused severe flooding in Accra, Ghana, killing at least three people and damaging property.
  • President John Mahama attributed the flooding to climate change and unchecked urbanisation, noting a record rainfall amount.
  • Residents reported worsening inundations due to urbanisation, blocked waterways, and inadequate drainage infrastructure.

Accra, Ghana's capital, experienced devastating floods following torrential rains on Monday, resulting in at least three fatalities and widespread damage. President John Mahama pointed to climate change and unchecked urbanisation as primary drivers of the disaster, noting that the city recorded approximately 140 millimeters of rain in a single day – nearly triple last year's high and the most in several years.

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

— President John MahamaThe president attributed part of the flooding problem to climate change.

The president acknowledged that while changing climatic conditions are beyond direct control, human behavior exacerbates the problem. He criticized the practice of building structures in waterways, which often leads to accusations of inhumanity when authorities attempt to remove them, yet the consequences of such actions are felt by everyone during flood events.

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.

— President John MahamaThe president addressed the challenges of managing urban development and flood prevention.

In the Tse Addo suburb, emergency responders and local volunteers utilized boats to rescue at least 15 children and an infant from flooded homes. The low-lying Alajo district saw the recovery of a man's body in his 60s, with floodwaters also causing damage to vehicles and residences. Journalists reported two additional deaths attributed to rising waters coming into contact with electrical wiring within homes.

Unfortunately, my house is flooded.

— Philip MensahA retired journalist described the impact of the floods on his home.

Residents described the increasing severity of flooding in recent years, citing rapid urbanisation, the obstruction of natural waterways by construction, and a general lack of investment in drainage infrastructure. Philip Mensah, a retired journalist, lamented the loss of his vinyl record collection to the floodwaters, while schoolteacher Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei described repeatedly mopping her flooded room. The Ghana Meteorological Agency warned of persistent rain-bearing clouds, indicating a continued risk of further flooding.

I have mopped my room more than eight times. I can’t even step out because my room is flooded, and outside is flooded.

— Patience Naa Adjeley AdjeiA schoolteacher described her experience with the rising floodwaters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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