At least 93 houses collapsed and more than 246 people lost their homes after heavy rains caused severe flooding in parts of the North East Gonja District in Ghana’s Savannah Region.
The floods began on Wednesday following continuous rainfall, according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). The disaster destroyed food stocks, farm produce, and livestock. It also damaged a feeder road, cutting off communities including Lantung Park, Kedingi, and Kanankula from nearby areas.
Mahama Zakaria, NADMO’s Savannah Regional Director, led an assessment of the damage. He said the situation reports have been sent to the organisation’s head office and relief supplies could arrive within 48 hours. “Our immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to residents who have been displaced,” he said.
Residents in affected areas are calling for urgent help. Luckman Musah lost bags of soybeans, maize, rice, and his livestock to the floodwaters. “We are appealing to the government and other stakeholders to come to our aid because we have lost our homes, food and sources of livelihood,” he said.
The flooding also interrupted movement after a section of the feeder road linking the communities to the local market washed away. This road is important for the movement of people, farm produce, and goods. Traders say the damage has already affected their businesses.
“The damaged road has affected our businesses because customers and traders can no longer move freely between the communities and the market,” said Eric, a business operator.
District officials are concerned that the road damage will worsen the economic impact of the floods. It could also limit access to healthcare for residents in the affected communities.
Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah, the District Chief Executive for North East Gonja, confirmed that about 93 structures collapsed across the district. He said residents around Bimbila rely on the road to access the market and have been cut off. “This road is very important because it links several communities to the market. People from around Bimbila also use it to engage in trading and other economic activities,” he said.
“If the route is not fixed, many people will not be able to come to the market, and this will affect businesses and livelihoods,” he added.
Mr Ewuntomah appealed to the National Security, the Minister of Roads and Highways, and the Department of Feeder Roads to treat the road damage as an emergency.
The floods in North East Gonja come as the region faces ongoing challenges with infrastructure and climate-related hazards. The loss of homes, food, and livestock adds to the difficulties residents already face in the Savannah Region’s rural areas.
As relief efforts begin, communities remain cut off and vulnerable, waiting for roads to reopen and aid to arrive.
According to Joy Online.
