President John Dramani Mahama Welcomes ECOWAS Chair Julius Maada Bio Amidst National Flood Crisis Displacing 48,000 People

President John Dramani Mahama has reported that approximately 48,000 residents, primarily within the Greater Accra Region, have been displaced following catastrophic flooding triggered by torrential rains on June 29. The disaster, described as one of the most severe in recent years, has resulted in 12 confirmed fatalities and left seven individuals missing. In response to the crisis, the government has mobilized the Ghana Armed Forces and a Joint Task Force to lead emergency cleanup and recovery operations across the affected zones. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has also begun the distribution of essential relief items to support the thousands of families whose lives have been upended by the rising waters. Amidst these recovery efforts, Sierra Leonean President and ECOWAS Chairman Julius Maada Bio arrived in Ghana for a one-day state visit to express deep condolences and offer African solidarity. During his visit, President Bio emphasized that Sierra Leone stands firmly with Ghana during this challenging period, highlighting the shared vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events. The meeting between the two leaders extended beyond immediate disaster relief, focusing on broader regional concerns including security, democratic governance, and economic integration. These discussions serve as a precursor to the upcoming ECOWAS Summit scheduled to take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Both President Mahama and President Bio underscored the urgent necessity for enhanced disaster preparedness and stronger regional cooperation to mitigate the impacts of climate change. President Mahama expressed his gratitude for the international support, particularly from regional neighbors, as the government continues to scale up its relief operations. As the military and emergency services work to restore normalcy, the collaboration between Ghana and Sierra Leone reflects a commitment to collective resilience in the face of environmental and political challenges across the West African sub-region.