Adentan Floods Claim Three Lives as MCE Blames Construction on Waterways
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Three lives lost in Adentan floods as MCE blames illegal construction on waterways for worsening disaster.
Three lives were tragically lost following heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in Accra on Sunday, May 18, 2025, with the Adentan Municipal Assembly confirming the fatalities occurred in various parts of the municipality. The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Ella Esiman Nongo, revealed the devastating impact of the downpour during an interview on Citi FM on Monday, May 19.
According to Madam Nongo, the torrential rains, which lasted for nearly three hours starting around 3:00 p.m., led to severe flooding in multiple areas. Among the affected communities were Lakeside, Nanakrom, and New Legon, where the fatalities occurred. “In Lakeside, we lost two people, including a four-year-old girl at Nanakrom, and a gentleman around New Legon,” she reported with visible emotion.
The floodwaters surged rapidly through residential areas, overwhelming poorly maintained drainage systems and submerging major roads. The destruction extended beyond Adentan, affecting parts of the capital city including Weija, Kaneshie, Adabraka, Adenta-Dodowa, Tema, and nearby towns. Vehicles were stranded, homes were flooded, and residents were left scrambling for safety as water levels rose uncontrollably.
Key stormwater channels such as the Odaw drain overflowed due to the intensity of the rain, exacerbating the flooding and exposing the vulnerabilities of Accra’s drainage infrastructure. Emergency services were deployed to assist residents in high-risk areas. In Ashiyie, one of the most affected communities in the Adentan municipality, rescue teams were able to evacuate several stranded individuals.
Madam Nongo emphasized that the flooding crisis is largely driven by human activities, especially the construction of homes and buildings on natural waterways. “Because people are building on waterways, there is no exit route for the water when it rains. That’s one of the main challenges we’re facing,” she stated. She also pointed out that poor urban planning and lax enforcement of building regulations have worsened the city’s susceptibility to floods.
Calling for urgent action, the MCE advocated for stricter enforcement of land use and construction laws. “If we don’t tackle the indiscipline in our building practices and enforce the rules, these tragedies will keep recurring,” she warned, adding that the government and local assemblies must collaborate more effectively to address these systemic issues.
The tragic incident in Adentan once again highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the growing threat of floods in Accra, which continue to claim lives and destroy property year after year. Experts have long criticized the city’s inadequate drainage infrastructure and warned that climate change may further increase the frequency and intensity of such downpours.
As residents mourn the lives lost—especially the young child in Nanakrom—calls for comprehensive flood management strategies have grown louder. Urban planners and civil society organizations are urging authorities to invest in long-term drainage solutions and community awareness campaigns to promote disaster preparedness.
In the days ahead, the Adentan Municipal Assembly, along with other local authorities and national emergency agencies, is expected to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate relief efforts for affected families. Community support systems are also being mobilized to offer assistance to those who lost loved ones or property.
For now, the flooding in Adentan serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to realign urban development with environmental realities. Without significant reforms in land use and infrastructure planning, experts fear that Accra will continue to face deadly floods each rainy season.
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