The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has confirmed that five people lost their lives following the heavy flooding that hit parts of the Greater Accra Region on Sunday, May 18. The organisation attributed the deadly incident to poor drainage systems and unchecked urban development. Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Friday, Director of Inspectorate at NADMO, Richard Amo Yartey, clarified that three of the deaths occurred in the Ga East Municipality, while the remaining two were recorded in Adenta.
“Our records indicate that five lives were lost, three in the Ga East Municipality and two in the Adenta Municipality. It is so unfortunate, and it also tells us that we need to intensify our education. I will advise citizens to pay attention to weather warnings. It is in our interest to stay informed about potential risks,” he urged.
Mr. Yartey attributed the widespread flooding not to the volume of rainfall, but to the inability of Accra’s drainage infrastructure to handle even moderate rains. According to the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the area recorded just 25 millimetres of rain, but the impact was severe due to prior showers and excessive runoff from higher grounds.
Several communities, including Adenta, Kaneshie, Weija, Adabraka, and parts of Tema were severely affected. Roads became impassable, vehicles were submerged, and thousands of residents were left stranded. NADMO reiterated its call for stricter enforcement of building regulations and better urban planning.
By: Patricia Boakye
