The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned that Accra faces an elevated risk of flooding this June, with rainfall in the coastal zone expected to range between 100 and 150 millimetres.
According to the agency, the city’s vulnerability to floods has worsened over the years, with as little as 30 millimetres of rain now capable of inundating parts of the capital.
Speaking in an interview, the Deputy Director and Head of Research and Applied Meteorology at GMet, Francisca Martey, said Accra’s reduced ability to absorb and channel rainwater has been driven largely by human activity, making flooding more frequent and severe.
She explained that the problem is not caused by rainfall within Accra alone, but also by runoff from surrounding and higher-elevation communities.
“When it rains in Accra, it doesn’t only collect here. It includes Berekusu and other surrounding areas, and all of it flows into the city,” she said.
Mrs Martey noted that many natural flood retention areas that once absorbed excess water have now been built over.
“All those places were naturally meant to collect rainwater. Now they’ve all been built on. So what are we expecting?” she asked.
She cautioned that the situation could worsen this month, given the rainfall projections.
Urbanisation and drainage pressure
She further explained that rapid urbanisation has channelled stormwater into narrow drainage systems that are often unable to cope with heavy flows.
“Previously, rain would spread over wide areas and gradually seep into the ground. Now everything is channelled into narrow gutters.
Once the volume exceeds their capacity, it spills over and floods surrounding areas,” she said.
She cited areas such as Bel Aqua in Tema as examples of locations built on natural waterways, which worsens flooding challenges.
“Bel Aqua sits on a watercourse. The last time I travelled through there, it took over two hours to move from the overhead bridge to the junction after work. That contributes significantly to flooding in the area,” she noted.
While stressing that GMet’s responsibility is to provide forecasts and early warnings, she said implementation of long-term solutions rests with city planners and local authorities.
“The city authorities know exactly what to do. Town and country planning authorities know exactly what to do. I provide the forecast; they know the action to take,” she said.
The warning forms part of GMet’s June 2026 Rainfall Outlook, which indicates generally wet conditions across most parts of the country, particularly in the Forest and Coastal zones.
In the Savannah Zone, including Navrongo, Zuarungu, Tamale, Walewale, Bole and Yendi, rainfall is expected to remain near normal. However, Wa and Bolgatanga may record normal to above-normal rainfall, with totals projected between 150 and 210 millimetres.
The Transition Zone is expected to see mixed conditions. Areas such as Kintampo, Wenchi, Atebubu, Mim, Salaga and Kete Krachi are likely to record normal to above-normal rainfall, ranging between 200 and 250 millimetres. In contrast, Bui, Sunyani, Dormaa and Ejura are forecast to experience normal to below-normal rainfall.
In the Forest Zone, including Dunkwa, Kumasi and Akim Oda, rainfall is expected to be above normal, with totals ranging between 200 and 400 millimetres. Akuse and surrounding areas are expected to receive comparatively lower amounts.
Along the Coastal Zone, rainfall is expected to be generally normal to above normal, with totals between 100 and 150 millimetres.
Mrs Martey urged disaster management agencies to strengthen emergency preparedness measures in anticipation of possible localised flooding.
She noted that while the rains would benefit agriculture and water availability, authorities and community leaders must remain alert and implement effective risk-reduction strategies.