Heavy rainfall resulted in widespread flooding across Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Monday, resulting in at least three fatalities. President John Mahama identified climate change and poor urban planning as the primary drivers of the crisis. Residents noted that the city’s infrastructure struggles to cope with rapid development, specifically citing construction over natural waterways.
Data shows that 140 millimetres of rain hit the city within 24 hours, which the president described as a record high for the region. While Mahama acknowledged the role of volatile weather patterns, he also emphasized that illegal construction in drainage zones remains a significant factor in the severity of these disasters. Emergency services, including the police and military, deployed boats to conduct rescues, such as an operation in the Tse Addo suburb that saved 15 children and a baby.
Tragedy struck in the Alajo district, where the body of an elderly man was recovered from the floodwaters. Additionally, two residents in another neighborhood reportedly died after coming into contact with exposed electrical wires during the surge. With the Ghana Meteorological Agency predicting further rainfall, the Ministry of the Interior has advised citizens to limit movement as the region faces ongoing risks.
