The government has apologised to Ghanaians after devastating floods killed nine people across Accra, as emergency responders rescued 479 others during three days of torrential rain, fires and other emergencies.
Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak expressed regret over the loss of lives and destruction caused by Monday’s floods, saying the government could have done more but had worked through the night to respond to the crisis.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the Asawase MP said the government was deeply sorry for the disaster that left homes and property destroyed across parts of the capital.
“Yes, we are really very sorry for the loss of life. We are sorry that this thing has really devastated Accra,” he said.
Mr Muntaka defended the government’s response, saying although authorities had been warned that June and July would bring heavy rainfall, the specific weather alert for Monday’s downpour was only issued late on Sunday night.
“But if you ask the Meteo person, he did not say that it’s going to rain today. Ask him, when did they give us the actual alert that this will happen? Yesterday at 11 pm when the majority of Ghanaians were asleep,” he said.
He said one of the immediate measures taken by the government was to work with the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation to send emergency warning messages to mobile phone users.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service said its personnel rescued or safely evacuated 479 people between Sunday and Tuesday as they responded to widespread flooding, fires and a building collapse across Accra, Tema and nearby communities.
The Service said firefighters worked with other emergency agencies to respond to dozens of incidents during the three day period. Five people died during the operations, one person was injured and another remains missing.
Emergency operations began on Sunday when firefighters contained two separate fires in Accra without any deaths.
At Lartebiokorshie, firefighters brought a domestic fire under control after it destroyed one room and its contents while preventing the blaze from spreading to adjoining rooms.
Another fire involving a tanker completely destroyed the vehicle. One person died and another was injured and taken to hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Following Monday’s heavy rains, the Fire Service stepped up rescue operations across Greater Accra and Tema.
At Tse Ado Last Stop, a joint operation involving the Fire Service, the Ghana Police Service Marine Unit, the National Disaster Management Organisation and the Ghana Armed Forces rescued 105 people trapped by floodwaters.
In Tema, firefighters responded to 23 emergency incidents, including fires, flooding and fallen trees. Twelve people trapped by floodwaters were rescued, while more than 50 residents were moved to safety at Tema Newtown.
The Service said a female trader remains missing after she was swept away by floodwaters near the Tema Community One Market.
Firefighters also responded to a four storey building collapse at Tabora No. 6. All 12 occupants had evacuated before the building gave way and no injuries or deaths were recorded.
By Tuesday morning, rescue teams had completed extensive operations along the Adabraka Odawna corridor, one of the worst affected areas.
More than 300 people were rescued from floodwaters during the operation, but four people, three men and one woman, lost their lives.
Firefighters also brought a major fire at the Odawna Rubber Market near Kwame Nkrumah Circle under control and evacuated dozens of people to safety, including 40 women, 20 men and 45 children.
Source: MetroTV
