More than 38,800 residents have been displaced and over 15 people have been confirmed dead following the devastating floods that swept through parts of the Greater Accra Region after torrential rains on Monday
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, disclosed the figures while briefing Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, describing the disaster as one of the most severe weather events Ghana has experienced in decades.
According to the Minister, Ghana recorded 169 millimetres of rainfall within a single day, the fourth-highest daily rainfall recorded in the country since 1995, resulting in widespread flooding that overwhelmed drainage systems and displaced thousands of residents.
“By the time we got to the morning, we saw a volume that is the fourth highest that this country has ever seen since 1995. A volume of 169 millimetres of water in a day,” he told Parliament.
Muntaka revealed that authorities only received updated weather information late on the previous night indicating that rainfall would be significantly heavier than earlier forecasts, leaving emergency agencies with limited time to strengthen preparedness measures.
The flooding impacted 25 communities across 16 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), bringing transportation and commercial activities in many parts of Accra to a standstill.
Several major roads became impassable, stranding commuters and disrupting access to the Central Business District and other key commercial centres.
The affected assemblies include Ga East, Ledzokuku, Ayawaso Central, Ga Central, Ga West, Ablekuma North, Ningo-Prampram, Weija-Gbawe, Ga South, Adenta, Korle Klottey, Okaikwei South, Okaikwei North, Tema West, Tema Metropolitan Assembly, La Dade Kotopon and Krowor.
Nearly 39,000 People Displaced
Providing a comprehensive assessment of the disaster, the Interior Minister said the floods affected 7,761 households and displaced a total of 38,802 residents.
Korle Klottey recorded the highest number of displaced persons, with 6,500 people from 1,300 households affected.
Tema Metropolitan Assembly followed with 3,601 displaced residents, while Tema West recorded 3,450 displaced persons. Ayawaso Central also suffered extensive damage, with 3,021 residents forced from their homes.
Death Toll Rises to 12
The floods also claimed 12 lives, with Ga East recording the highest number of fatalities.
According to the Minister, five people died in Ga East, where six others remain missing. Ayawaso Central recorded three deaths and one missing person, while Tema Metropolitan Assembly also confirmed three fatalities. Ledzokuku recorded one death.
In all, seven people remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.
Expressing the government’s condolences, Muntaka sympathised with bereaved families and assured affected communities of continued state support.
“Let me take this opportunity to extend our condolences and those of the government to the families that lost their relatives,” he said.
The Minister said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and other emergency agencies have intensified rescue and relief operations across the affected communities.
