Accra, Ghana – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has extended the condolences and full support of his government and people to neighboring Ghana following devastating floods that have claimed lives, displaced tens of thousands, and caused widespread destruction in parts of the country, particularly Greater Accra.
During a one-day state visit to Accra on Friday, July 3, 2026, President Bio met with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. He personally conveyed sympathy to the families and communities affected by the torrential rains and severe flooding, while reaffirming Sierra Leone’s readiness to support Ghana’s ongoing humanitarian response and recovery efforts.
President Mahama briefed his counterpart on the scale of the disaster, reporting that approximately 48,000 people have been displaced, 12 confirmed deaths recorded, and several others remain missing. The Ghana Armed Forces, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and other emergency agencies have been fully mobilized. The government has released substantial funding — including GH¢350 million from the Contingency Fund — to aid relief operations, with additional measures such as the formation of a seven-member Anti-Flood Taskforce to address both immediate needs and long-term prevention.
The floods, triggered by exceptionally heavy rainfall (with reports of around 140mm in a single day in Accra — far exceeding previous records), have been exacerbated by climate change, poor urban planning, construction on waterways, and waste dumping that blocks drainage systems. President Mahama has ordered the demolition of structures built in waterways and emphasized the need for behavioral change among residents.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the two leaders held broader discussions on regional cooperation. Topics included security challenges, good governance, economic integration, and strengthening the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The talks come ahead of the upcoming ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit, scheduled to take place in Freetown/Lungi, Sierra Leone, from July 12–19, 2026, which President Bio is hosting as current ECOWAS Chairman.
President Bio highlighted the urgent need for West African nations to collaborate more effectively on climate change adaptation, flood mitigation, and disaster preparedness.
“We must build resilience together against these growing environmental threats,” he stressed, underscoring that such disasters are no longer isolated events but regional challenges requiring collective action.
The visit, described as a gesture of longstanding friendship between the two nations, reinforces bilateral ties and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development across the ECOWAS region. Sierra Leone and Ghana have historically supported each other during crises, and this latest show of solidarity is expected to translate into practical assistance in the coming weeks.
As Ghana continues rescue and recovery operations, with warnings of potential further rainfall, the show of regional unity sends a strong message of West African resilience in the face of increasing climate-related disasters.
