Ghana has been hit by a series of floods due to unpredictable rainfall patterns, primarily due to climate change. The Akosombo and Kpong dams, which generate about a third of Ghana’s energy mix, have experienced controlled spillage due to heavy rains. The dams have been flooded since the 1960s, causing the creation of the Volta Lake, the largest man-made lake in the world. The National Disaster Management Organisation estimates that eight districts have been affected since the flooding began on 11 October.
Many homes have been completely submerged, and authorities are only beginning to assess the impact of the floods. A quarter of the Mepe community has been seriously impacted, with toilet facilities, cemeteries, and refuse dumps all flooded, raising concerns about disease outbreaks. Essential services like water and electricity are no longer reaching affected areas. The Volta River Authority has warned residents and carried out simulation exercises to prepare for potential disasters. Ghana’s navy has rescued over 8,000 people so far. The Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (Nadmo) attributes the floods to heavy rains brought about by climate change.
