Accra floods claim 12 lives, displace residents, and cause widespread destruction
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Heavy rains in the Greater Accra Region, starting on June 28, 2026, and continuing into June 29, 2026, have resulted in 12 fatalities, according to the Ghana National Fire Service GNFS. Over 150 people have been rescued, with search and rescue operations ongoing. The floods have caused significant damage, including vehicles swept away, homes and businesses inundated, and traffic disruptions. Social media videos show the extent of the devastation, with some residents seen retrieving groceries and other items washed away from shops and warehouses. Communities like the Manet area have reported severe flooding, trapping residents in their homes and sweeping away parked vehicles. One video depicted a resident in Adabraka swimming with a horse to escape rising waters.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
President John Dramani Mahama has issued five key directives to tackle the recurring flooding in Accra, following a visit to affected communities. In a press statement released on June 30, 2026, President Mahama emphasized the need for a change in public attitude towards sanitation, waste disposal, and unauthorized development in flood-prone areas. He highlighted data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, showing a significant increase in rainfall intensity, with Accra recording 85mm in June 2024, 172mm in 2025, and 333mm in 2026 for the same period. The President stated that while climate change is a factor, human and engineering issues, such as the blockage of natural streams, also contribute to the problem. He stressed the necessity of stronger enforcement measures, despite potential criticism of government efforts to remove illegal structures. The directives include: an emergency meeting of the National Security Council; collaboration between Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies and the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to map obstructions; demolition of buildings blocking waterways and clearance of debris; the National Disaster Management Organisation to provide relief support; and the Minister of Finance to release contingency funds for relief and infrastructure repairs. These measures come after heavy rainfall on June 28 and 29, 2026, caused widespread flooding, submerging major roads and disrupting daily activities across Accra.
Police in Accra were captured on video pursuing residents who were carrying groceries from a warehouse affected by devastating floods on June 29, 2026. The footage, shared on X on June 30, 2026, shows individuals running from a police vehicle as officers moved to retrieve goods. Sacks filled with assorted items, confiscated by the police, were also visible. This incident occurred after heavy rains caused widespread flooding, loss of lives, and extensive property damage across the Greater Accra Region.
Must ReadThe Ghana National Fire Service GNFS has confirmed that 12 people have died and more than 150 individuals have been rescued following severe floods in parts of the Greater Accra Region on June 29, 2026. Alex Nartey, a member of the GNFS Public Relations Department, stated that rescue operations were conducted in communities including Kasoa, Taifa, Weija, and Dome. The confirmed death toll includes a mother and her husband in Tema New Town, one person in Alajo, a woman and child in Achimota Alogboshie, four people in Odawna, and one person in Achimota Abofu. Nartey noted that the actual number of casualties could be higher as some individuals are still missing. He emphasized that while drainage infrastructure improvements are important, public attitude towards environmental sanitation, particularly indiscriminate waste disposal, remains a significant factor contributing to recurrent flooding.