At least 12 killed, 500 rescued as heavy rainfall hits Greater Accra, Ghana

Heavy rainfall on Monday caused flooding across several parts of Greater Accra, prompting large-scale rescue operations by the GNFS and other emergency response agencies. Rescue and recovery efforts remained underway on Tuesday as authorities continued to account for missing people and verify the final casualty toll.

According to President John Dramani Mahama, the June 29 rainfall in Accra was among the most severe in recent years. Preliminary data show the city recorded 140 mm (5.5 inches) in a single day. This was about 2.5 times the maximum daily rainfall recorded in 2025, which was 56 mm (2.2 inches).

“That aspect of the problem is beyond our control because it is driven by changing climatic conditions,” Mahama said, adding that there is also an issue of human behavior.

“Whenever the government begins removing structures built in waterways, some people accuse us of being inhumane. Yet when disasters such as today’s flooding occur, the consequences affect everyone. The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk.”

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Tuesday, GNFS Public Relations Team member Alex King Nartey said firefighters and rescue personnel had been working around the clock since flooding began on Sunday, carrying out rescue operations in affected communities.

According to Nartey, the Fire Service rescued almost 500 people between Sunday and Monday alone. About 105 people were rescued from Tse Addo and approximately 300 from the Odawna area, while additional rescue operations were conducted in Dome, Kwabenya, Adenta, Anyaa, and Ablekuma, where emergency teams responded to residents trapped by rising floodwaters.

“Unfortunately, we lost about 12 people. That’s the number that I can confirm,” Nartey said.

Nartey said two bodies were recovered from Alogboshie, a mother and her child, while one death was recorded at Achimota. Two people also died at Alajo, four at Odawna, and two at Tema Newtown.

Search and recovery operations remained underway on Tuesday, including efforts to locate at least one elderly person reported missing at Tema Newtown.

Nartey cautioned that the confirmed death toll could increase as emergency crews continued searches in affected communities and additional reports were verified.

“I won’t be surprised if the number is more than what I’m mentioning. These are the figures I can verify from our team and our collaborating agencies. We don’t want to put out numbers that have not been verified,” he said.

GNFS said no serious injuries were reported and that the few people who sustained minor injuries were treated and discharged.

Data provided by the Ghana Meteorological Agency show a steady increase in rainfall intensity over the past three years, with June totals rising from 85 mm (3.3 inches) in 2024 to 172 mm (6.8 inches) in 2025 and 333 mm (13.1 inches) in 2026.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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