A tragic incident during Sunday’s torrential rains in Accra has reignited calls for urgent investment in drainage infrastructure, as residents of Agbogba and surrounding areas mourn the latest flood-related death and demand action from authorities.
The body of an unidentified man, believed to be in his mid-50s, was pulled from a drain near the Transition area at Agbogba in the Ga East Municipality on Monday, after being swept away by floodwaters while riding a bicycle.
According to Mr. Dennis Mensah, Assemblyman for the Agbogba Electoral Area, the deceased was one of two individuals caught in the floodwaters. While one survived, the other — reportedly a private security guard — tragically perished despite efforts by bystanders to rescue him.
“This level of flooding is unprecedented in our area,” said Mr. Mensah. “We’ve experienced rains before, but not to this extent. Water couldn’t flow because of structures built across waterways.”
Sunday’s three-hour downpour overwhelmed large portions of the capital, with four deaths confirmed in total — one in Ga East and three more in Adentan Municipality, affecting communities such as Lakeside, Nanakrom, and New Legon.
At the heart of the community’s frustration is what they describe as persistent negligence in addressing structural drainage challenges. Residents pointed to illegal construction on waterways, poor waste disposal habits, and abandoned stormwater projects as the root causes of their repeated flood woes.
Mr. John Kofi Dediha, a local resident, stressed the role of human behavior in worsening the situation. “People dump waste into gutters. This blocks the drains and causes the water to overflow during the rains,” he said.
As of Monday afternoon, GNA reporters witnessed residents in the area bailing out water from homes and attempting to salvage property from the aftermath of the flood.
Several residents echoed a common plea: the completion of the long-abandoned storm drain project at Happy Home. Many believe this initiative, once completed, could provide lasting relief for the flood-prone community.
“We need the government to prioritize this project. Each year we lose lives and property because of poor drainage. It’s no longer tolerable,” one resident said.
The deadly floods serve as a grim reminder of the consequences of delayed urban infrastructure development in rapidly growing residential areas. As Accra continues to expand, residents hope the loss of life will spur more than just short-term cleanup efforts — but lasting solutions.
