Accra floods: unusual and viral moments amidst devastation
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Heavy rainfall in Accra on Monday, June 29, 2026, resulted in 12 fatalities and significant property damage. Amidst the devastation, several unusual and humorous incidents went viral on social media. These included residents engaging in "free shopping" after floodwaters opened a warehouse in Tema, a waakye seller continuing to serve customers in the rain, alleged sex workers navigating floodwaters near Circle Railway, and a taxi driver clinging to his vehicle for over two hours to prevent it from being swept away. Another incident involved a motorcyclist who refused to abandon his bike and was swept away, despite an excavator operator's plea. Additionally, a man was filmed breaking his neighbor's wall to redirect floodwater from his own house. President John Dramani Mahama announced a GH垄300 million post-flood relief package after an aerial inspection of the affected areas.
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Must ReadPrivate legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor, through his law firm Merton and Everett LLP, has filed a lawsuit against the Government of Ghana at the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The suit, filed on June 29, 2026, on behalf of Democracy Hub, represents 27 of at least 60 deportees sent to Ghana since September 2025 under the US "third-country" removal policy. This policy applies to individuals US courts have ruled cannot be deported directly to their countries of origin due to risk of harm. The complaint alleges that Ghana is violating domestic and regional laws by facilitating the removal of these deportees to countries where they could face danger, despite their claims of protection in the United States. Many were reportedly deported from Ghana to the countries they had fled within hours or days, while others were left stranded. The lawsuit seeks to compel Ghana to disclose the terms of its deal with the US administration and to block Ghana from accepting any future deportees under this arrangement. The firm filed the lawsuit alongside Cornell Law School鈥檚 Transnational Disputes Clinic and the Global Strategic Litigation Council.
Must ReadGhana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has advised Ghanaians residing in South Africa to remain indoors due to scheduled anti-immigration protests on June 30, 2026. In an interview shared by Channel One TV on June 28, 2026, Quashie urged nationals to avoid going out unless essential. He advised documented residents who must go out to carry their documents. The High Commissioner also stated that security protection has been arranged for Ghanaians in selected hotels and church facilities, urging them to stay put. He assured Ghanaians that their welfare is being safeguarded and that evacuation plans for affected nationals are advanced.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate release of GH垄300 million from the Contingency Fund to support flood relief and mitigation efforts following recent flooding in parts of Accra and southern Ghana. The directive, announced by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on June 30, 2026, allocates GH垄150 million for emergency relief to affected communities and individuals, and the remaining GH垄150 million for measures to reduce future flooding. This intervention is part of the government's response to the flooding caused by heavy rainfall. President Mahama has also ordered the deployment of personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service to assist the National Disaster Management Organisation NADMO and other security agencies in ongoing rescue and relief operations. The directive follows an aerial tour by the President to assess the damage and review protective measures.