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President tours flood-hit areas as five are confirmed dead

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President John Atta Mills is touring Accra to see at first hand the devastating effects of Tuesday night's floods. His first port of call was the Kwame Nkrumah Circle where floods have taken over the roads making them unpassable.

The President said government is concerned about the plight of the affected residents and assured them to be calm. 

Meanwhile, five people have been confirmed dead. Kofi Portuphy, head of the  National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), revealed that one of the dead was electrocuted when he tried to rescue his refrigerator from the flood and another was drowned in the flood at Odawna. Three others have also been confirmed dead.

President Mills appealed to victims of the floods to remain calm as efforts are made to rescue and offer them assistance. 

“You have seen all of us here because of the concern that we have for this rather disturbing situation. First of all, I’d like to convey our sympathies to those families who have lost individuals and I would want to repeat the appeal by the Minister of Interior, stay where you are so that you can derive the maximum benefit from the rescue efforts which are being made,” he said.

The President commended NADMO, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Fire Service, Engineers Regiment for their efforts at helping the flood victims and assured Accra's citizens that “the government will do everything in its power to bring this situation under control.”

Severe floods following massive rains that poured down on the southern part of the country this morning have virtually brought Accra to a standstill. Reports and distress calls from several suburbs of the capital indicate loss of lives and destruction to property, with many marooned on rooftops. Some roads have been cut off forcing commuters making their way to the city centre to find alternate routes.

Accra Mayor Alfred Vanderpuije asked residents of the capital to avoid travelling to the city unless it was very necessary whilst Education Minister, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, announced on radio the closure of schools in the capital. In a radio interview, she stated that her Ministry was concerned about the safety of pupils and teachers alike.

Deputy Transport Minister Dzifa Attivor also announced a suspension of rail services. A number of organizations in the capital have also had their premises flooded. The management of Ghana Post says the main Post Office in Accra will remain closed following flooding there. The Vodafone office near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle is also inundated.

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