2026 Ghana floods
The 2026 Ghana floods took place at the end of June 2026, and affected the capital city of the country, Accra and its surrounding areas such as Kaneshie, Adabraka, Circle, Weija, Adentan, East Legon, Achimota, Spintex, Teshie, and sections around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange. The Deputy Director-General (Operations) of the Ghana Meteoroligical Agency (GMet), Dr Ignatius Kweku Williams encouraged the public to always check for updates from the agency. [1][2][3][4]
According to the Ghana Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, the month of June 2026 observed the greatest rainfall of 593.2 millimetres since 1995. The heavy rainfall which lead to this flooding recorded 169.2 millimetres within 24 hours.[5]
The Ghana Meteorological Agency initially alerted residents living in parts of Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, and Eastern regions about heavy rainfalls between June and early July.[6] They have predicted a total rainfall within this period as 100 and 150 millimetres.[7]
Causes
This flooding was mainly caused by building on waterways and by disposal of waste into drainage systems.[8] The Convention People’s Party (CPP) described this incident as a "self-inflicted" disaster and encouraged the citizens to stay peaceful, alert and avoid flood-prone areas. However, they also advised the Minister of Energy, John Jinapor to disconnect electricity supply to all flood-affected areas.[9]
The 2023 Ghana floods was also caused by heavy rainfall on 7th March 2023.[10]
Impact
According to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) about 3,000 residents in Accra's Odawna area were affected.[11]
In the Western region, more than 24 buildings crumbled in Samreboi-Asankragwa due to the flooding.[12]
As at 30 June 2026, twelve people were confirmed dead as a result of the flooding.[13] The death toll increased to 13 people on the next day. According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNF), the death toll is likely to increase though they have saved more than 470 people.[14][15]
The flooding triggered fire at a rubber factory closer to Kwame Nkrumah circle.[16]
Interventions
The Ghanaian President, John Mahama, ordered the deployment of the Ghana Armed Forces and police personnel to support NADMO in their rescue operations in the capital.[17] Subsequently the government of Ghana responded to the challenges of sanitation which is one of the major causes of the recent flooding in the country by cooperating with Zoomlion Ghana Limited to reactivate Achimota-Abofu Transfer Station to revive waste collection services in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, made the information known to the public after inspecting the facility.[18]
10th July- 11th was declared as National General Cleaning Days by President John Dramani Mahama to remove debris, desilt drains and disinfect flood-affected markets and public places to minimize risk of disease outbreaks and future flooding.[19]
The finance minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, sent GH¢350 million to NADMO to support the individuals that were affected by the flooding after the instruction of President John Dramani Mahama.[20] The president ordered the release of this amount from the contingency fund.[21]
References
- ↑ "GMet issues fresh rain warning as Accra battles flooding". 2026-06-29. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "When the Rain Comes, So Do the Thieves: Accra's Flood Crisis and Its Hidden Criminal Economy". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Deadly floods sweep through Ghana's capital". Africanews. 2026-06-29. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ GNA (2026-06-29). "Greater Accra floods trap residents, cut roads off, public vigilance urged". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ GNA (2026-06-30). "Ghana records highest monthly rainfall since 1995 as June floods kill 12 – Interior Minister". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ Siaw, Enoch Ntiamoah (2026-05-20). "Ghana: Southern Ghana Faces Flood Threat - Gmet Warns As Heavy Rains Approach". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ GNA (2026-06-30). "Heavy rains submerge parts of Accra as security agencies intensify rescue operations". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ Derigubaa, Stephen. "Ghana's Floods And National Security: Lessons From Ghana's June 29, 2026 Downpour". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Accra flooding is self-inflicted and avoidable – CPP urges immediate government action - Adomonline.com". Adomonline.com. 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Ghana – Accra Floods Cause Damage and Fatalities – FloodList". floodlist.com. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ rédaction, La (2025-05-22). "Ghana - Flooding : over 3000 houses destroyed". Africa24 TV (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ Annim, Akwasi Agyei (2026-06-19). "Over 24 buildings collapse in Samreboi-Asankragwa floods". Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "Accra and Tema floods: 9 confirmed dead". Daily Graphic. Accra, Ghana. 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Ghana flooding: At least 13 people killed in Accra after torrential rains". www.bbc.com. 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "At least 13 killed, thousands affected after flash flooding hits Ghana". The News International. 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "Fire and floods hit Ghana's capital as residents are left stranded". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ Bruce, Emmanuel (30 June 2026). "Heavy rains hit Ghana, killing at least 12 in floods". Reuters. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ emmakd (2026-07-01). "Ghana government and Zoomlion reopen Achimota Transfer Station to ease post-flood waste crisis". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
- ↑ "What you need to know about the July 10-11 national cleaning days". 2026-07-09. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
- ↑ "Govt releases GH¢350m for flood intervention". Graphic Online. 2026-07-02. Retrieved 2026-07-11.
- ↑ "President Mahama directs immediate release of GH¢300million for flood relief and mitigation". Graphic Online. 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-07-23.