Flood hits Ho after heavy rain
Parts of the Volta regional capital, Ho, are submerged due to torrential downpours.
The rain came down on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The incident has left residents in fear and anxiety over the possibility of more severe flooding during this year’s rainy season.
The nearly two-hour-long rainfall, described by many as the heaviest in years, overwhelmed the town’s main drainage systems.
Though no fatalities were recorded, the floodwaters caused significant damage to properties, displacing residents and halting all activity in the business district.
For more than two hours after the rain had stopped, the areas in the Ho municipality remained impassable, with vehicular and human movement restricted.
Bright Kwadzo, a resident from Ho-Tsiyikpota whose home was severely affected, urged authorities to factor proper drainage into road projects in the area to aid the passage of water, especially when it rained. He appealed to local authorities to urgently address the issue to prevent future disasters.
Another affected resident Celestine Attipoe admonished, “We must stop building on waterways.
“Our own actions are making us vulnerable to floods.”
The residents of Ho called on the Municipal Assembly for immediate relief support and long-term interventions to mitigate flooding in the municipality.
Flooding in Ghana
Flooding in Ghana has become a serious issue that affects many communities every year. From Accra to Kumasi, Tamale to Takoradi, no region is completely safe. Anytime it rains heavily, many parts of the country experience floods that destroy homes, property, roads, and sometimes even take lives. The situation keeps getting worse, and it is time we look at it seriously as a nation.
What Causes Floods in Ghana?
There are many reasons why Ghana faces floods, especially during the rainy season.
Poor Drainage Systems:
Most towns and cities in Ghana have narrow or choked gutters. Some drains were built many years ago and cannot handle the large volume of water we get these days. When it rains, water has nowhere to pass, so it overflows into homes, shops, and streets.
Illegal Building on Waterways:
People often build houses, kiosks, and shops on waterways and wetlands, which blocks the natural flow of rainwater. When the rains come, the water has to find a new path—often through homes and roads.
Indiscriminate Waste Disposal:
One of the biggest problems is how we throw rubbish into gutters and rivers. Plastic waste especially blocks the drains, making it easy for water to gather and cause flooding.
Climate Change:
Ghana, like many countries, is seeing the effects of climate change. Rainfall patterns have changed, and we now get heavier and more intense rains in shorter periods, which the current drainage systems cannot handle.
Places Affected Most by Floods
Flooding happens in almost every region in Ghana, but some areas are hit harder than others.
Accra: The capital city is known for major floods every year. Places like Alajo, Odawna, Circle, Kaneshie, and Ashaiman suffer a lot during heavy rains.
Northern Ghana: In the north, the situation becomes worse when water is spilled from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso. This causes rivers like the White Volta to overflow, destroying farmlands and villages.
Central and Western Regions: Areas near the Pra, Ankobra, and Offin Rivers also experience flooding that damages cocoa farms and rural communities.
Effects of Flooding in Ghana
The impact of flooding on Ghanaians is massive and painful.
Loss of Lives and Property:
People die during floods. Some drown in rushing water, while others are electrocuted by exposed wires. Every year, families lose loved ones, furniture, electrical gadgets, and valuable documents.
Damage to Roads and Bridges:
Floods destroy roads and bridges, making it difficult for people to go to work, school, or the hospital. Transport fares go up, and businesses suffer.
Health Issues:
Floodwaters often mix with dirty gutters and toilets, spreading diseases like cholera, malaria, typhoid, and diarrhea. After floods, hospitals usually see more patients.
Economic Loss:
When businesses get flooded, they lose stock and money. Farmers also lose crops and livestock. The government spends millions of cedis trying to fix roads and support affected people.
What Is Being Done About It?
Over the years, both government and private organisations have tried to solve the flood problem:
NADMO (National Disaster Management Organisation) is always on alert during the rainy season. They support victims with food, clothes, and shelter.
Desilting of Gutters happens in Accra and other cities to remove waste from drains before the rains start.
The government has started some drainage projects, like the Odaw drain project, to manage stormwater better.
There are also education campaigns to teach the public about proper waste disposal and flood safety tips.
However, these efforts are not enough. The same problems come back every year.
What Can We Do as Ghanaians?
Solving the flood problem is not the duty of government alone. All of us have a role to play.
Stop Throwing Rubbish in Gutters:
We must all learn to dispose of waste properly. Plastic waste should go into bins, not into drains.
Avoid Building on Waterways:
Let’s follow building rules. Don’t put up structures near rivers or in flood-prone areas. District Assemblies must be bold to demolish illegal structures blocking water paths.
Support Tree Planting:
Trees help soak up rainwater. Let’s plant more trees and protect wetlands.
Report Early Signs of Flooding:
When you see choked drains or rising water levels, report it to NADMO or your local Assembly. Early action can save lives.
A United Fight Against Flooding
Flood in Ghana is a serious problem that needs both national effort and personal responsibility. Every year, we lose lives, properties, and money because of a problem that can be managed. The truth is, we can reduce flooding if we all come together—government, local authorities, and citizens.
Let us not wait until the next disaster. Let’s act now, clean our gutters, respect building laws, and protect our environment. Together, we can build a Ghana where heavy rains no longer bring fear, but rather blessings.