Parts of Keta in the Volta Region are submerged in floodwaters. This follows hours of heavy rainfall on Wednesday, May 6. The floods have displaced residents and destroyed property.
The downpour overwhelmed drainage systems. Homes, shops, and main roads are underwater. Residents, including the elderly, women, and children, fled to higher ground. They abandoned belongings as water levels rose rapidly.
Items like furniture, food, and electronics are submerged. Community roads have also been damaged. This makes it difficult to reach affected areas. It also hinders emergency relief efforts.
The Keta Municipal Deputy Director of NADMO, Mr Philip Abotsi, confirmed the situation. He stated that the Keta Municipal Assembly and NADMO are assessing the damage. They will provide necessary support to those affected soon. Areas including Dzelukope, Nukpesekope, and Vui are among the most affected.
Residents blame years of neglect. Drainage infrastructure is in poor condition. Gutters are choked. Town planning is also considered inadequate. Mr Richard Aba, a resident, appealed for decisive government action. "We need a proper drainage system to at least mitigate the situation," he said.
Several government offices are affected. The Ambulance Service, Fire Service, and Environmental Health Service are underwater. Offices for Legal Aid, Zoomlion, and the Agric Directorate are also flooded. The Narcotics Control Commission and the National Identification Authority are also impacted. NADMO's own offices are submerged.
Mr Emmanuel Tordzro of the Keta Ambulance Service highlighted Keta's vulnerability. The town faces both sea erosion and inland flooding. He called for urgent investment in infrastructure. Coastal defence systems and land-use planning are crucial. He urged for immediate relief and faster mitigation measures.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges for coastal communities in Ghana. Poor infrastructure often fails during extreme weather. The economic impact includes lost livelihoods and damaged property. Future relief and prevention efforts will depend on robust infrastructure upgrades and better urban planning. The scale of destruction requires significant government intervention beyond immediate relief.