The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Adentan Municipal Assembly, Ella Esiman Nongo, has confirmed the tragic loss of three lives, including a four-year-old girl, in the aftermath of a three-hour torrential downpour that caused devastating floods across Accra on May 18, 2025.
According to Madam Nongo, the deaths occurred in separate locations, Lakeside and New Legon.
“In Lakeside, we lost two people, including a four-year-old girl from Nanakrom, and another gentleman around New Legon,” she stated.
She identified illegal construction on waterways as a major contributing factor to the disaster, emphasizing how it obstructs the natural flow of rainwater.
“Because people are building on waterways, there’s no exit route for the water when it rains. That’s one of the main challenges we’re facing,” she noted.
The downpour, which lasted nearly three hours, inundated homes and roads, leaving many residents stranded. Major roads, including the Adenta-Dodowa and Pokuase-Amasaman routes, was not accessible, cutting off access to key areas.
Madam Nongo stressed the urgent need to enforce urban planning regulations to prevent future tragedies in flood-prone communities.
Social media has since been flooded with heartbreaking images and videos of displaced residents, sparking public outcry and renewed calls for swift government intervention and long-term flood prevention strategies.
Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage and have reiterated that illegal structures on waterways are significantly increasing flood risks.Meanwhile, experts continue to call for stronger drainage infrastructure, stricter building regulations, and improved disaster preparedness to better protect lives in the face of future storms.
Story by: Michealina Yemoley Ashong