By ZR Reporter
Accra and Abidjan have been hit hard this week by incessant torrential rains that have triggered deadly floods and landslides that have killed dozens. In Ghana’s capital, streets that normally buzz with life became dangerous channels Monday, forcing families to scramble as the water rose rapidly into their homes. By Tuesday, the official death toll in Accra had risen to 12, but for those searching for missing loved ones, that number looms like a heavy, shifting shadow—many are still unaccounted for. Rescue teams worked through the night in a desperate race against time, managing to bring more than 400 people to safety, but the scale of destruction is overwhelming.
The situation across the Ivory Coast border has been equally grim. Families have been displaced and homes destroyed since the downpours began on Saturday. While authorities continue to assess the full extent of the tragedy, people on the ground, including emergency responders, are reporting at least 20 deaths. It’s a stark reminder of how fast a community can be thrown into chaos when the weather goes extreme.
The shock of the disaster has led to a difficult conversation about preparedness. President John Mahama has spoken to the people of Ghana and released data on the unusual weather as the government comes under fire for its response. “Accra received 140 millimeters of rain in one day, more than twice the heaviest single-day record from all of last year,” he said. He said the changing climate patterns are often beyond anyone’s control, but he didn’t shy away from the hard truths, admitting illegal buildings that block natural waterways have made the flooding much worse than it should have been.
The rain continues to fall as the mood in both cities is one of weary vigilance. While the meteorological services are urging everyone to stay prepared for more heavy weather, for the families currently burying their dead or trying to salvage what they can from mud-soaked homes, the focus remains on the basic, human struggle of holding on and supporting one another through a tragedy that has left so many reeling.
© Zambia Reports | 1 July 2026