President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his deepest sympathies to families affected by the devastating floods that swept through parts of southern Ghana, describing the disaster as a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change.
Addressing the sod-cutting ceremony for the Tema Integrated Industrial Park (TIIP), the President began his remarks by reflecting on the heavy rains that fell between June 28 and June 29.
“I cannot begin my speech without referring to the events of yesterday. Between June 28 and June 29, nature reminded us of the reality of climate change. For those who still doubt it, climate change is real,” President Mahama said.
He disclosed that approximately 140 millimetres of rainfall fell over southern Ghana within a 24-hour period, resulting in widespread flooding across several communities.
“Within a 24-hour period, approximately 140 millimetres of rainfall was dumped on the southern part of Ghana. No matter how prepared a city may be, it is difficult to absorb such volumes of water within such a short time,” he stated.
The President noted that the flooding extended beyond Accra to affect Winneba and several other coastal communities, causing significant destruction.
“As a result, we experienced extensive flooding, not only in Accra but also in Winneba and several other communities along the coast,” he said.
President Mahama indicated that government agencies were still assessing the full extent of the damage, adding that some people remained unaccounted for following the disaster.
“While we are still assessing the full impact, some of our fellow citizens remain unaccounted for. We are not presuming any loss of life at this stage, but we remain concerned about those who are still missing,” he said.
He extended his heartfelt condolences and assured affected families of government’s support.
“I therefore extend my deepest sympathies to all families affected by the floods, particularly those who have lost property, sustained injuries or are still searching for loved ones,” President Mahama said.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
