By WAJESHA News Desk
ACCRA, Ghana
West African Journalist for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (WAJESHA) member Peter Quao Adattor is counting his losses after floodwaters submerged his home in Alajo, Ayawaso Central Municipality, leaving cameras, documents, and years of work destroyed in hours.
Adattor, who has lived in the area for nearly 30 years, says this is the first time his part of Alajo has flooded to such a level.
“The water came too fast to save anything”
According to Adattor, the rain started around midnight on Sunday and continued through Monday morning. While checking social media for transport updates, he saw videos of floods flooding timelines.
“I rushed to the main gutter that separates Alajo from Tesano, and to my surprise it overflowed its banks and spreading into the community,” he said.
He attempted a Facebook Live, but the rising water forced him home. “Before we could start to lift my laptop onto the drawer there was a bang on my door followed by screams calling us to come out. The water had already reached knee level.”
By the time the family reached the main road, “the water was already at my waist.” The group took refuge on top of a storey building for nearly four hours. When they returned, “the water had reached chest level in the room submerging everything, nothing left to salvage.”
All his cameras, paper documents, passport, and other valuables were destroyed “not just wetted.” Adattor says some rooms in the area saw water levels go beyond human height.
“June 3rd was our safe haven. Now we have to leave”
Despite the destruction, Adattor said everyone in his area survived because “we all think of safety first.” He has since evacuated, citing more predicted rains and the fact that his home is no longer safe.
“This is the first time in nearly 30 years that this particular area of Alajo was flooded,” he noted. He blames “irresponsible waste disposal coupled with the climate impact.”
He referenced the June 3rd disaster, saying Alajo was then a safe haven for others. “That should tell you a lot had gone wrong this time.”
Government response missing on the ground
Adattor said he had not seen any government official in the area since Monday. “I was told the member of parliament visited the community but he did not come to our place. Only the assembly member understandably came but did not take the time to check on everyone so I did not personally see him.”
Adattor’s account comes as Accra reels from torrential rains that killed at least 12 people and displaced hundreds across the capital. The Ghana National Fire Service said about 140mm of rain fell on Accra the highest recorded in years. Alajo was among the hardest-hit areas, with two people electrocuted after floodwater touched electrical wiring.
The government has released GH¢300 million for flood relief, with NADMO, the military, and police deployed for rescue operations.
For Adattor and many other WAJESHA members in Accra, the priority now is recovery and finding a safer place to live.
WAJESHA stands with all members affected by the floods. Members with urgent needs are encouraged to contact the WAJESHA Secretariat.
