At least 93 houses have collapsed and more than 246 people are homeless after heavy rains caused severe flooding in the North East Gonja District of Ghana’s Savannah Region. The floods began on Wednesday and have damaged not only homes but also food supplies, farm produce, livestock, and access routes to markets and healthcare.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) confirmed the extent of the damage following an assessment led by its Savannah Regional Director, Mahama Zakaria. He said the floods had destroyed food stocks and crops, leaving families without shelter or means to support themselves. “Our immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to residents who have been displaced,” Zakaria said. He added that situation reports had been sent to NADMO’s headquarters and that relief items could reach the victims within 48 hours.
For residents like Luckman Musah, the impact goes beyond losing a home. He told Accra Posts he lost bags of soybeans, maize, rice, and livestock to the floodwaters. “I have lost bags of soybeans, maize and rice, as well as my livestock, to the floods,” Musah said. He appealed to the government and organisations to provide urgent support. “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 added.
The heavy rains also washed away part of a feeder road, isolating communities including Lantung Park, Kedingi, and Kanankula. The road is an important connection for moving people, farm produce, and goods between these communities and the local market. Eric, a business operator, said traders were struggling because customers could no longer move freely. “The damaged road has affected our businesses because customers and traders can no longer move freely between the communities and the market,” he said.
The disruption threatens the supply of food and essential goods if the road remains inaccessible. The District Chief Executive for North East Gonja, Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah, said that residents from Bimbila, who rely on the road for market access, had 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.
Ewuntomah warned that if the road is not fixed soon, many people will be unable to reach the market, damaging businesses and livelihoods. He also cautioned that the blockage could deny residents access to healthcare services in nearby Bunjai and Salaga. He called on the National Security, the Minister of Roads and Highways, and the Department of Feeder Roads to treat the road damage as an emergency.
While waiting for government assistance, the district assembly and community members have begun mobilising stones and gravel to create a temporary crossing. Road construction equipment is expected to arrive soon to support the work. The assembly said this temporary solution would ease movement while longer-term plans are developed to restore the damaged road and support affected families.
For now, the residents remain in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, and help to recover their livelihoods. The floods have cut off communities and destroyed homes, food, and access to basic services, leaving families vulnerable and isolated.
According to 3News.
