Keta submerged as heavy rain displaces residents, destroys property

Several areas of Keta Township in the Volta Region have been inundated with floodwaters following hours of heavy rainfall.

This has led to the displacement of residents, destruction of property and livelihoods.

A report by myjoyonline.com on May 7, 2026, stated that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, May 6, and is considered one of the worst flooding events to hit the area in recent times.

The floodwaters overwhelmed drainage systems, inundating homes, shops and major roads.

Philip Abotsi, the Keta Municipal Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), informed the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that many residents, including elderly individuals, women and children, were forced to abandon their belongings and seek refuge on higher ground as the water levels rose rapidly in both residential and commercial areas.

“Some affected households reported that items such as furniture, foodstuffs, electronics, clothing, and other valuables were submerged in the floodwaters,” he said.

The flooding also damaged community roads and pathways, making access to some of the worst-hit communities difficult and hampering emergency and relief efforts.

Affected areas include Dzelukope, Nukpesekope, Tetekope and Vui, which residents say require urgent attention to restore normal daily activities.

The GNA has reported that several institutions, including the Ambulance Service, Fire Service, Environmental Health Service, Legal Aid, Zoomlion, the Agricultural Directorate, the Narcotics Control Commission, the National Identification Authority, the National Commission for Civic Education and NADMO, were also submerged by the rain.

A resident of Dzelukope, Richard Aba, attributed the flooding to years of neglect of drainage infrastructure, blocked gutters and poor town-planning practices.

“Every year, it’s the same story. Our homes get flooded, we lose valuables, and after a few days, everyone forgets about us. We need a proper drainage system to at least mitigate the situation,” he added.

Emmanuel Tordzro of the Keta Ambulance Service emphasised that Keta’s vulnerability to both sea erosion and inland flooding necessitates urgent investment in infrastructure, coastal defense systems and land-use planning.

He urged NADMO and other relevant authorities to provide immediate relief and expedite long-term flood mitigation measures to break the cycle of annual flooding in the municipality.

The Keta Municipal Assembly and NADMO have announced that they are currently assessing the damage and will provide necessary support to affected individuals and institutions as soon as possible.

NAD/AM

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