Disasters that wrecked Ghana in 2019

Over the years, the country has been hit with several disasters costing the lives of many, loss of properties and many among others.

Flood and fire have been a major concern in the country but with little or no efforts put in place to curb this menace.

Heavy rains more often than not, result in flooding across the country, with many attributing the perennial occurrence to the siting of structures on waterways, and blocking of drainage systems, a situation that forces rushing floodwaters onto the streets and into homes.

These disasters which have ravaged properties and caused loss of lives within the country from January to December 2019 are well documented.

Property Trends Online takes a critical look into the different fire and flood disasters that have razed houses, rendered families homeless and taken the lives of many.

2019 Fire Disasters in Ghana

Odawna Market (January 16, 2019)

About 80 shops were razed by a fire that gutted the Odawna market at Circle on Wednesday night January 16, 2019.

Findings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) cited faulty electrical wiring as the cause of the fire outbreak at the Odawna Market at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

Traders at the Odawna market lost thousands of Ghana Cedis in wares as a result of the fire. However, no casualties were recorded.

New Makola Market (February 22, 2019)

The fire outbreak that occurred at the Makola Market in Accra on February 22, 2019, destroyed shops, stalls, and goods worth several thousands of Ghana Cedis.

The fire was said to have started around 7 am on Friday. Fire personnel supported by one fire tender battled the fires.

According to Elis Robinson, the Fire Service struggled to gain access to the basement of the mall, where the fire began, due to extensive smoke.

The fire was believed to have started inside a hair shop, which spread throughout the market.

Zylofon TV Fire Outbreak (November 25, 2019)

On Monday, November 25, 2019, the property housing Zylofon TV was gutted by fire.

The fire which was spotted by some workers stated that the fire began around 10 pm. The Ghana National Fire Service eventually came on the scene and successfully doused the flames.

GRA Office Fire (December 1, 2019)

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) located at the Ring Road-Circle in Accra was on Sunday, December 1st engulfed by fire.

The incident which occurred on December 1, 2019, began at 8 am, swept across the top floors of the building and burned on for over two hours before fire service personnel put out the fire.

According to the National Fire Service, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been warned before to improve its safety measures of the building but fell on deaf ears. It has been reported that the cost of damages sustained in the blaze is yet to be established.

2019 Flood Disasters in Ghana

April 8 Accra Flood

According to reports, five persons perished Monday, April 8, 2019, in a downpour which took Accra residents by surprise.

The rain, which lasted less than two hours, left in its trail flooded streets and bodies. Properties were also destroyed as the flood made its way into homes.

May 29 Accra Floods

A heavy rainstorm that occurred on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in the afternoon caused flooding across the capital, Accra.

Some persons were left stranded as a result of the rains which lasted for over two hours and left some roads in the city unmotorable.

Some of the areas affected included the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Spintex, the Dome Pillar 2 road, the Sahara Park in Adabraka, Ablekuma, parts of Teshie, the Obetsebi Lamptey Roundabout and parts of Dzorwulu.

June 6 Accra Floods

Some parts of Accra got flooded again on Friday morning, after the heavy downpour on Thursday evening of June 6, 2019.

The rains subsided around 3 am on Friday and caused floods which rendered some roads un-motorable.

The Accra-Kasoa highway was left completely flooded forcing motorists heading to Accra to drive on the opposite side of vehicles heading to Kasoa.

Accra-Tema Motorway Flood (October 28, 2019)

This has also been recorded as one of many areas affected by flooding. Monday, October, 28 will go down in Ghanaian history as the day one of the most reliable ‘getaway routes’ during heavy rains joined the list as a flood-prone stretch.

The rain which lasted for over 4 hours in Accra and some parts of the country brought about the submersion of several areas including the Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange, Spanner Junction and former Shangri-La Hotel, close to the Accra Shopping Mall as well as the 37 Military Hospital bus stop areas.

Many drivers, both commercial and private had their vehicles breaking down with some nearly getting swept away.

The incident, the first in many years since the construction of the motorway came as a shock to those who often ply the route.

Somanya Rainstorm (November 25, 2019)

A 30-minute rainstorm caused havoc at Somanya in the Eastern Region.

The rainstorm began Monday, November 25, 2019, around 3:00 pm with no warning signs and lasted for about 30 minutes.

A storey-building housing the Barclays Bank and other offices had its roof ripped off.

Vehicles belonging to the staff of the bank parked close to the building were badly affected with vehicle screens broken and parts visibly mangled.