–BY Nadia Ntiamoah
At least three people have been confirmed dead in the Adenta Municipality, and some 3,000 others displaced in Odawna, following torrential rains that wreaked havoc across the Greater Accra Region on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
The heavy downpour, which lasted nearly three hours, left vast stretches of the capital submerged, exacerbating the city’s perennial flood crisis.
Multiple Fatalities in Adenta
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Adenta, Ella Esinam Nongo, confirmed the fatalities in an interview on the Citi Fm.
The deaths occurred in separate localities within the municipality—two persons, including a four-year-old girl, drowned in Nanakrom and Lakeside, while a third victim was discovered near New Legon.
According to the MCE, the tragic incidents underscore the dire consequences of uncontrolled urban development.
“Because people are building on waterways, there is no exit route for the water when it rains. That’s one of the main challenges we’re facing,” Nongo stated.
She stressed the urgent need for enforcement of building regulations to prevent further loss of life.
Emergency responders were deployed swiftly, rescuing stranded residents in the Ashiyie area and other parts of the municipality.
However, authorities say the scale of damage has overwhelmed local resources.
Odawna Submerged
Meanwhile, in the Odawna-Sahara area, the aftermath of the flood has been described as catastrophic.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) reported that approximately 3,000 residents were affected, with hundreds of homes inundated and personal property destroyed.
During a visit to the area on Monday, May 19, the MCE for the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Alfred Ato allotey-Gaisie, joined NADMO officials for an on-site assessment.
Hendrick Noble Kinah, NADMO’s Municipal Coordinator, revealed that Odawna was the worst-hit zone in the capital.
“About 3,000 households have been affected. We went through all the flooded areas, and while others are recovering, Odawna remains in distress,” Kinah said.
He indicated that a comprehensive damage report has been compiled and forwarded to the relevant authorities for action.
Recurring Problem with Little Progress
The flooding in Accra is not new. Over the years, incidents of similar magnitude have occurred with increasing frequency, largely attributed to poor urban planning, unregulated construction on waterways, inadequate drainage systems, and waste-clogged drains.
In past years, government agencies have promised interventions, including the expansion of drainage infrastructure and demolition of illegal structures.
Yet, each rainy season brings renewed chaos, as key flood-prone areas like Odawna, Kaneshie, Adabraka, and Weija experience severe inundation.
The Odaw drain, which channels storm water through central Accra into the Korle Lagoon, overflowed its banks on Sunday under the pressure of accumulated rainfall.
Roads became impassable, and vehicles were submerged or stranded for hours.
Calls for Permanent Solutions
In his media briefing, the MCE acknowledged the deep-rooted nature of the flooding crisis in Odawna and pledged to explore the use of internally generated funds to expand drainage systems.
“We’ve had this challenge over the years. We cannot keep coming here just to sympathise with victims. It’s time to look at permanent solutions,” he declared.
His remarks echo a growing public sentiment demanding accountability and sustainable urban planning from both local and national governments.
Outlook and Warnings
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned of more heavy rains in the coming days, urging residents in low-lying and flood-prone communities to take precautions.
With the rainy season intensifying and urban populations continuing to grow, the need for decisive policy action and infrastructure investment has never been more critical.
For now, residents of affected areas continue to count their losses—and brace for what might come next.
