Ghana Submerged: Accra Battles Devastating Floods, Mahama Orders Urgent Risk Assessment and Blames Illegal Permits

Ghana is currently grappling with the severe consequences of heavy rainfall, leading to widespread flooding, tragic loss of life, and significant disruption across various regions. Recent incidents highlight both immediate humanitarian crises and long-standing systemic issues requiring urgent attention from governmental bodies, traditional leaders, and citizens.

In the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region, two separate drowning incidents have been reported following torrential downpours. A 45-year-old man, who went missing three days prior in Morkwa, had his body retrieved on Monday, June 8, from the Pra River. On the same day, Alfred Kumi, a recently graduated Junior High School (JHS) student from Gomoa Ohua, also vanished after bathing in the Osen River at Twifo Edugyaa. Alfred was visiting his father to seek financial support for his education after completing his Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Mr. James Pra, the District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), confirmed these incidents, noting that while one body was recovered, search efforts for Alfred Kumi are ongoing. Mr. Pra also cautioned residents against engaging in illegal sand winning activities along riverbanks, identifying them as dangerous practices that contribute to avoidable deaths, and appealed for essential equipment like life jackets to bolster emergency response operations.

Accra, the nation's capital, has been particularly hard-hit by the recent deluges. In Peace Town, a suburb of Ngleshie Amanfro, hundreds of residents have been rendered homeless after torrential floods swept through the community, described by locals as the worst in a decade. The overflowing River Jei washed away the main bridge linking Peace Town to Amanfro, leaving many stranded. Residents attribute this disaster to a refuse dumpsite operating along the riverbanks for seven months, which has reportedly blocked natural waterways. Urgent appeals have been made to NADMO and the Ga South Municipal Assembly for immediate intervention, including relief items, temporary shelter, and temporary crossings. Similarly, the Obom-Odunkwa Bridge in the Obom-Domeabra Constituency has been submerged, disrupting transportation and leading to exploitative charges by individuals assisting commuters across the flooded area. The Accra–Takoradi Highway, specifically the Weija SCC–Atala stretch, also experienced perennial flooding and silt deposition, causing severe traffic congestion and leaving vehicles stranded. Motorists voiced frustration over the incomplete state of ongoing drainage projects, emphasizing that while completed sections are effective, significant portions remain unaddressed.

The scale of these disasters has prompted a strong response from Parliament. The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate appearance of three ministers before the House to provide explanations on critical issues generating public concern. These include the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to address the repatriation of Ghanaians from South Africa and visa-related challenges concerning the 2026 FIFA World Cup; the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, to discuss the recent Accra floods and long-term solutions to perennial flooding; and the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, also for the FIFA World Cup visa issues. During discussions on the Business Statement, Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu stressed Parliament's constitutional duty to demand accountability from the Executive. MP for Effia, Isaac Nyarko Boamah, specifically highlighted how recurring floods expose weaknesses in the country's drainage infrastructure and urban planning, leading to widespread destruction and economic disruption.

In response to the escalating crisis, President John Dramani Mahama has issued several directives aimed at tackling the root causes of Ghana’s perennial flooding challenges. Upon his return from the UK and Belarus on Tuesday, June 9, President Mahama mandated NADMO and a national task force to conduct a comprehensive assessment of restricted and protected lands across Accra. This initiative aims to identify encroached and vulnerable areas, compile a detailed report on lands not authorized for development, and empower authorities to take decisive action to safeguard protected zones. The President acknowledged that such interventions, potentially involving demolitions, might face public criticism but asserted their necessity for long-term urban resilience and sustainable development. He questioned how structures in waterways received building permits, stating,