Accra Flooding: Four-Year-Old Among Multiple Deaths Reported After Downpour

• The Municipal Chief Executive for the Adentan Municipal Assembly, Ella Esiman Nongo, disclosed that at least three persons died during the recent flooding
• Nongo said the fatalities occurred at Lakeside, Nanakrom, and New Legon after the downpour on May 18
• The floods caused major traffic congestion and left numerous pedestrians stranded in other parts of Greater Accra

At least three people have been reported dead following the massive flooding on May 18.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Adentan Municipal Assembly, Ella Esiman Nongo, confirmed the deaths to Citi FM.

Nongo said the fatalities occurred at Lakeside, Nanakrom, and New Legon.

“In Lakeside, we lost two people, including a four-year-old girl at Nanakrom and a gentleman around New Legon."

The flooding accompanied a downpour that lasted for hours. Some of the heavily affected areas were Weija, Kaneshie, Adabraka, Adenta-Dodowa and Tema.

The floods caused major traffic congestion and left numerous pedestrians stranded.

In places like the Ofankor Barrier, for instance, vehicles and pedestrians were unable to commute.

In some places, traffic has been diverted, while others have parked their cars, waiting for the rains to stop.

People have left their flooded homes to seek refuge elsewhere until the rain ceases and the water recedes.

Six-year-old boy goes missing

A six-year-old boy, Sylvester Owusu, is feared to have drowned after being swept away by fast-moving floodwaters along the Anikoko River during a torrential downpour on Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2025.

The tragic incident occurred near Dunkwa-Aggrey Road when the child reportedly attempted to cross a culvert swollen by hours of heavy rain.

According to family sources, Sylvester had been sent home by his grandmother from the Zongo Market to Oteng Crescent when he encountered the overflowing river.

Eyewitnesses said he slipped and fell into the culvert, which was overflowing dangerously following the downpour that began around 3:00 p.m. and continued until approximately 7:00 p.m.

Several parts of Dunkwa experienced significant flooding as a result of the storm. A coordinated search effort, launched at dawn on Sunday by residents and emergency volunteers, has yet to locate the boy’s body.

Searchers combed the banks of the Anikoko River throughout the day but were forced to suspend operations at nightfall due to poor visibility and rising water levels.

Family members, visibly distressed, remained at the scene throughout the search, clinging to hope as officials prepared to resume operations early Monday morning.

Kwadwo Sheldon's home flooded

On social media, Ghanaian content creator Kwadwo Sheldon lamented the flooding of his home. He shared videos of the flooding situation in his home and neighbourhood.

Kwadwo Sheldon shared videos and blamed the owners and managers of the estate. He also suggested that he could seek legal redress.

"This is on the estate, and they are about to know what time it is in court."

Government puts in place anti-flooding taskforce

In March, President John Mahama established a seven-member Anti-Flood Taskforce to combat Ghana’s persistent flooding challenges.

The task force is chaired by Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations at the Presidency.

As part of its field operations, the Anti-Flood Taskforce conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission in March to assess flood-prone areas and gather critical data to prevent future disasters.

Following the aerial survey, Dogbe announced that the government would enforce stricter flood prevention measures.

He disclosed that the 48th Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, in collaboration with local government authorities, will immediately commence desilting of major drains to improve water flow and mitigate flood risks.

Additionally, a road reconnaissance survey will be undertaken to assess the impact of poor drainage systems on flooding.

Transport company defies Mahama’s order

YEN.com.gh reported that a transport company, Caitec, did not comply with Mahama’s directive in March to reverse the illegal reclamation of portions of the Weija Ramsar site.

During a tour of flood-prone areas in Greater Accra, Mahama ordered the company to undo the reclamation at their own cost.

This was to allow for easy dredging as Accra prepares for the rains.

However, a subsequent inspection conducted by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) revealed that the president’s orders had been ignored.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh