President John Dramani Mahama has described Monday’s rainfall in Accra as one of the most severe in recent years.
Speaking after an aerial tour of flood-hit parts of the capital on June 29, he said the city was overwhelmed by exceptional rainfall levels that exceeded previous records.
“Today’s rainfall is one of the highest in several years,” he said, noting that about 140 millimetres of rain was recorded in Accra in a single day, compared to a peak of 56 millimetres recorded last year.
He explained that data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency shows a steady increase in rainfall intensity over the past three years, with June totals rising from 85 millimetres in 2024, to 172 millimetres in 2025, and 333 millimetres in 2026.
According to him, the growing frequency of rainfall means drainage systems have little time to recover between downpours, worsening flooding across the capital.
Beyond weather patterns, President Mahama pointed to engineering challenges, saying Accra’s natural drainage channels have been restricted by rapid urban development and construction along waterways.
He also cited human behaviour, including the dumping of waste into drains and the conversion of wetlands into illegal dumping and building sites, which he said continues to reduce the city’s capacity to manage stormwater.
He stressed that addressing the problem requires both improved engineering interventions and strict enforcement of planning regulations, including clearing obstructed waterways.
While acknowledging that enforcement actions can be unpopular, he said failure to act would continue to expose entire communities to recurring flood disasters.
