How Accra-Tema motorway joined fearsome ‘flood gang’

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.

Over 4-hour rainfall in the capital and some parts of the country resulted in the submersion of several areas including the Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange, Spanner Junction and former Shangri-La Hotel, close to the Accra Shopping Mall, Airport Junction as well as the 37 Military Hospital bus stop areas.

Notable areas which were equally flooded but did not come as a surprise were Legon-Shiashie road, Dzorwulu enclave.

The Accra-Tema motorway which serves as the main route for residents of Tema, Spintex, Ashaiman, among other places was left stranded after the downpour.

Both sides of the motorway were overtaken by the ravaging flood thus bringing traffic to a halt from both ends.

The severity of the effects caused the Ghana Police Service to release a statement cautioning commuters and the general public using the stretch.

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

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

The situation caused anger and frustration among many Ghanaians, many of whom took to Twitter to lambast government for not being proactive in solving the perennial flood situation that keeps haunting the citizenry after the rains.

Many of them shared pictures and videos of areas that were flooded and called out the government to solve the issues with floods once and for all.

Amongst the many that tweeted was Ghanaian actress and outspoken social media personality, Lydia Forson, who tweeted, “how angry are you as a Ghanaian” #Accraflood.

Let’s take a look at some of the reactions

A local Einstein is building his version of Noah's ark but chooses to call it cathedral. Well in these times,it might prove helpful if you know the Noah story #AccraFloods pic.twitter.com/vnQOpGm7oD

— Kojo Reddington (@19kojohohoo) October 29, 2019

Every single year we come here and tweet #AccraFloods but we are still dumping refuse basabasa. Everyday we blame politicians but I'm not sure it's Aseidu Nketia or Sir John who choked our gutters

— Trust the Process ???? (@de_dongh) October 29, 2019

Stop blaming politicians for #AccraFloods. They may be evil but they didn't dump those rubbish into the drains. Until we change our mindsets as citizens of Ghana we are never progressing.@thenanaaba @Serwaa_Amihere @Bridget_Otoo

— Trojan Horse (@borla_car) October 29, 2019

Biggest scam ever in Ghana #AccraFloods #Ghana https://t.co/t4ZHvBRTP7

— Kwame Asiemoah (@semaokpekpe) October 28, 2019

Again Government caught flatfooted... #AccraFloods pic.twitter.com/U0wYJrjiXA

— eyram_glo_ (@eyram_norglo) October 29, 2019

Bwoooooy those of you going Ghana this December for #YearOfReturn Ah beg you pack your resolve and your wellies and maybe even a dinghy cos trust me #AccraFloods are NOT a joke survived a few to tell the tale. My Road is flooded again and THIS is a puddle! pic.twitter.com/TiK5gIwEzX

— Jennifer W-B (@JenniferWB) October 29, 2019