President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that an estimated 48,000 people have been displaced following the devastating floods that swept through parts of the Greater Accra Region after a heavy downpour on June 29.
The President made the announcement on Friday, July 3, while addressing the media during a state visit by the President of Sierra Leone and Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Julius Maada Bio, who visited Ghana to express solidarity with the country in the aftermath of the disaster.
According to President Mahama, the floods have so far claimed 12 lives, while seven other persons remain unaccounted for.
“This downpour was huge, and we estimate that about 48,000 people were rendered homeless by the downpour. Twelve are confirmed dead, while seven are still unaccounted for. We have asked the military and the joint task force to immediately mobilise and bring things back as quickly as possible,” he said.
The President revealed that personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces have already begun clearing choked drains, waterways, and debris left behind by the floods to help restore normalcy in affected communities.
“The Army has started to clear waterways, clear garbage and clear debris that was thrown all over the city by the rainfall. We expect that within a week or two, things will normalise,” he added.
President Mahama also announced that the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has released funds from the government’s contingency fund to support emergency response, flood mitigation, and relief efforts.
He said the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), working together with other state agencies, will soon begin distributing relief items, including towels, blankets, and mattresses, to residents affected by the floods.
The President expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone for their support and message of solidarity during the difficult period.
“We appreciate his message of sympathy,” President Mahama stated.
The torrential rains on June 29 caused widespread flooding across several parts of the Greater Accra Region, leaving thousands of residents homeless and causing significant damage to homes, businesses, roads, and other public infrastructure. Government agencies, the military, and emergency response teams continue rescue, recovery, and relief operations in the affected communities.
