Nine people are feared dead following severe flooding that swept through parts of the Greater Accra Region on Monday after hours of torrential rainfall submerged roads, homes and business districts across the capital.
Emergency responders say the figure remains provisional as rescue and recovery operations continue in multiple flood-hit communities, with fears that the death toll could rise as more areas are accessed.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which is coordinating frontline rescue efforts, confirmed the suspected fatalities based on information gathered from officers deployed across affected locations.
A member of the Public Relations Department of the Ghana National Fire Service, Alex King Nartey, speaking on JoyNews, explained that the current figure is based strictly on verified reports from the field.
“So at this time now, the confirmable or confirmed figures that I have, the only case is in the case of about nine people,” he stated.
He added that while there were reports of additional deaths from other areas, only officially confirmed cases from deployed personnel could be relied upon at this stage.
“I’m hearing there are other deaths in other places. As of now, from my men on the ground,” he said.
Rescue Operations Ongoing Across Submerged Communities
Teams from the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana National Fire Service remain deployed across severely affected areas, conducting search-and-rescue operations and evacuating stranded residents.
Many roads across the capital remain impassable, with motorists abandoning vehicles as floodwaters rapidly rose during the downpour. Major transport hubs, including the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area, were heavily inundated, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Widespread Damage Across Accra
Communities such as Alajo, Kaneshie, Odaw, Adabraka, Achimota, Weija, Madina, Adenta, Lapaz and parts of Spintex were among the worst affected, with homes, shops and roads submerged.
The flooding also disrupted public services and transport activity, forcing commuters to seek safety on higher ground while emergency crews worked to clear blocked drains and rescue trapped residents.
At the Circle transport terminal, floodwaters submerged several vehicles, leaving drivers and passengers stranded and scrambling for safety.
Institutions Disrupted as Flood Crisis Deepens
The impact of the flooding extended to key institutions, with the University of Ghana suspending lectures and advising students to remain indoors. The Ghana School of Law also postponed examinations, citing safety concerns.
Renewed Calls for Action
The disaster has reignited concerns over Accra’s long-standing vulnerability to flooding, with renewed calls for improved drainage systems, stricter enforcement against construction on waterways, and better waste management practices.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid flooded areas, comply with safety instructions, and report emergencies promptly as rescue operations continue across affected communities.
