Ghana floods: 29 dead, 6 still missing after recent disasters
via GhanaWeb6 min read
Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka announced that 29 people have died and six remain missing following recent floods across Ghana. Speaking to Parliament's Public Assurance Committee on July 7, 2026, the minister detailed fatalities in the Greater Accra, Central, and Volta regions. The Central Region experienced a severe flood a week before June 29, resulting in 18 deaths and the collapse of 58 houses. In Accra, the June 29 floods initially caused 12 deaths and left seven missing; however, the recovery of a body on July 6, 2026, could increase the death toll to 13 and reduce the missing to six if identified. Additionally, four people died in flood-related incidents in the Volta Region. Government agencies activated emergency responses, including establishing temporary shelters, though many affected residents preferred to remain in their communities, opting for relief items. The Ministry of Gender and Social Protection identified three shelters for about 200 people and another facility in Ashaiman for up to 1,000. The National Security Secretariat also provided a facility for approximately 300 displaced persons. A comprehensive post-flood recovery and mitigation exercise, led by the Ghana Armed Forces, is underway to restore communities and reduce future flood risks through nationwide clean-up and restoration efforts.
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Charles Cromwell Nanabayin Onuawonto Bissue, former Secretary for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining IMCIM, has addressed the GH垄20,000 seen in the 'Galamsey Fraud' video, stating it was not a bribe. In an interview on July 6, 2026, Bissue explained that the money was an expected contribution from Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako Chairman Wontumi, to support a New Patriotic Party NPP program in the Western Region. Bissue, who was then the NPP's Western Regional Secretary, said Chairman Wontumi had promised the money, which was delivered by his personal assistant, Andy, who arrived with the undercover journalist. Bissue claimed that Chairman Wontumi, former Minister Joe Ghartey, and he personally contributed GH垄20,000, GH垄20,000, and GH垄30,000 respectively, to the Western Regional Organizer, Abdul Ganiru, for the program. He added that all three later provided statements to the Office of the Special Prosecutor OSP confirming the money's purpose. Bissue also asserted that the IMCIM did not issue mining licenses, and his role was to ensure proper vetting processes. He further claimed to have rejected a $500,000 bribe for illegal mining two weeks before the video's release. Bissue is currently on trial for allegedly receiving GH垄35,000 from Benjamin Adjapong to facilitate the renewal of an expired mining license for ORR Resources Limited.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, has criticized Ghana's management of diplomatic engagements with South Africa, specifically regarding the reported postponement of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit. Speaking on Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana on July 8, 2026, Pratt described the public disclosure of confidential exchanges between the two governments as damaging to Ghana's diplomacy and contrary to African unity. He argued that such leaks create a poor impression and could undermine trust in Ghana as a diplomatic partner, questioning the motive behind the disclosure. Pratt emphasized that African unity is imperative and that responses to issues like xenophobic attacks should strengthen cooperation among African states, not weaken it. He urged African leaders to prioritize diplomatic engagement to resolve disputes and maintain focus on continental unity, warning that actions deepening divisions hinder efforts to free the continent from economic exploitation.
Must ReadDr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, a former Programmes Manager for the National AIDS Control Programme, has urged caution regarding reports that approximately 1,300 applicants in a recent security services recruitment tested positive for HIV. Speaking on Starr FM on July 8, 2026, he explained that initial screening tests only identify reactive cases, and a full testing algorithm is required for confirmation. Dr. Ayisi Addo emphasized the need for these applicants to undergo confirmatory tests. He also noted that the figure should be evaluated against the total number of applicants tested, rather than in isolation. He suggested that if the proportion of positive cases is significantly higher than the national HIV prevalence of about 1.47%, it would warrant further examination of the characteristics of the applicants. His comments follow the disclosure by the Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, to Parliament's Assurances Committee on July 6, 2026, that around 1,300 applicants tested positive for HIV during mandatory medical screening for recruitment.