2 weeks Ago By News Ghana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/severe-rainstorm-devastates-wa-displacing-residents-and-damaging-infrastructure/A powerful rainstorm struck Wa Municipality in Ghana’s Upper West Region on April 18, 2025, leaving widespread destruction, displacing residents, and crippling infrastructure.
The storm, lasting under 20 minutes, tore roofs from buildings, uprooted trees, and downed electricity poles, plunging areas like the SSNIT Residential Area into darkness.Among the hardest-hit locations was the Dine in Delicacies restaurant, where a falling tree crashed through the roof during peak hours. Owner Hajia Latifa Ibrahim Dodoo recounted the chaos: “Nine people were inside one was trapped briefly, but thankfully rescued unharmed.
” The incident destroyed refrigerators and kitchen equipment, compounding losses for the local business.Naa Momory Technical and Vocational School suffered extensive damage to its fashion department, ICT block, and dormitories. Vice-Principal Hussein Yasir appealed for urgent aid ahead of students’ return: “We were already struggling with infrastructure.
This disaster has worsened our situation.”Officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) assessed the damage, with Regional Director Maxwell Emmanuel revealing that a prior warning about the hazardous tree at Dine in Delicacies went unheeded. “We received a letter to remove it but couldn’t act in time,” he admitted.
NADMO’s regional office lacks immediate relief supplies, forcing reliance on local mobilization before seeking national support.Newly confirmed Wa Municipal Chief Executive Alhaji Issah Nura Danwanaa, sworn in a day before the storm, called it a “baptism of fire.” He pledged collaboration with fire services and police to clear debris and secure affected sites.
“We will plan interventions swiftly,” he assured residents.The storm underscores systemic vulnerabilities in Ghana’s disaster preparedness. Despite NADMO’s foreknowledge of risks, delayed action highlights resourcing gaps and bureaucratic hurdles.
Recurrent climate-related disasters in northern Ghana, often linked to erratic weather patterns, demand robust infrastructure investment and proactive risk mitigation.The Wa incident mirrors challenges faced nationwide, where urbanization outpaces resilient planning. As climate threats escalate, bridging the gap between early warnings and timely response remains critical to safeguarding communities and fostering long-term resilience.
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gh/severe-rainstorm-devastates-wa-displacing-residents-and-damaging-infrastructure/.
