Heavy rainfall in Ghana's North East Gonja District has caused widespread destruction, leaving hundreds of residents without shelter. At least 93 houses have collapsed, and over 246 residents have been displaced. The floods have also destroyed a section of a key feeder road, cutting off communities including Lantung Park, Kedingi, and Kanankula. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) reported that the flooding followed continuous rainfall that began on Wednesday.
The floods have had a devastating impact on residents, with many losing their homes, food, and livestock. Luckman Musah, one of the affected residents, said he lost bags of soybeans, maize, and rice, as well as his livestock, to the floodwaters. He appealed to the government and other organisations to provide urgent support to affected families. The destruction of the feeder road has compounded the difficulties facing residents, disrupting the movement of people, farm produce, and goods.
The damaged road is an important link for the movement of people, farm produce, and goods between the affected communities and the local market. Eric, a business operator, said traders were struggling because customers could no longer move freely through the area. The disruption could also affect the supply of food and other essential goods if the road remains inaccessible. District officials have warned that the situation may also affect access to healthcare services.
The District Chief Executive for North East Gonja, Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah, said about 93 structures had collapsed across the district. He stated that residents from Bimbila who depended on the road to access the local market had been cut off. The road is very important because it links several communities to the market, and people from around Bimbila use it to engage in trading and other economic activities.
NADMO's Savannah Regional Director, Mahama Zakaria, led an assessment of the affected communities and reported that the disaster had destroyed food stocks and farm produce. He said situation reports had been sent to NADMO's head office and that relief items could reach the victims within 48 hours. The immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to residents who have been displaced.
While residents wait for government assistance, the district assembly and community members are mobilising stones and gravel to create a temporary crossing. Road-construction equipment is also expected to arrive to support the work. The assembly says the temporary intervention will ease movement while longer-term plans are developed to restore the damaged road and support affected families.
For now, residents remain in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, and assistance to recover their livelihoods. The floods have had a significant impact on the lives of residents, and it may take some time for them to recover. The government and other organisations have been urged to provide support to the affected families.
Key points
- At least 93 houses have collapsed, and over 246 residents have been left without shelter.
- The floods have destroyed a section of a key feeder road, cutting off several communities.
- Relief items are expected to reach the victims within 48 hours.
