The death toll from devastating floods that swept across several regions of Ghana has risen to 34, authorities said, as rescue teams continue search operations and the government launches a nationwide recovery campaign to address the aftermath of the disaster.

The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall on June 29, affected seven regions across the country, inundating homes, damaging critical infrastructure and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their communities.

Richard Amo Yartey, Director of Inspectorate at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), said 12 of the confirmed fatalities were recorded in the capital, Accra, while the nationwide death toll has reached 34.

“The death toll in Accra is 12, across the country is 34, but it could go up,” Amo Yartey said in an interview with local broadcaster TV3 on Thursday.

He explained that the number of fatalities could increase as authorities continue efforts to verify reports of missing persons and match them with bodies recovered from flood-affected areas.

“If we do the matching and realise that some of the people missing have been found dead, then the death toll will increase and those listed as missing will reduce,” he said.

According to NADMO, the floods have displaced 89,736 people nationwide, making the disaster one of the most severe weather-related emergencies to hit the country in recent years.

The flooding left entire neighborhoods submerged, disrupted transportation networks and caused extensive damage to public infrastructure. Emergency responders and local authorities have been working to provide relief assistance to affected communities while assessing the full scale of the destruction.

In response to the disaster, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) announced on Friday that it will deploy troops, military engineers and specialized equipment to support a nationwide cleanup and flood recovery operation.

The initiative follows heavy rains on June 28 and 29 that exposed major weaknesses in drainage systems and contributed to widespread flooding across multiple regions.

Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, Director General of Joint Operations at the Ghana Armed Forces, said the operation forms part of a broader government strategy aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure and reducing the risk of future flooding.

“Particular attention will be given to the removal of refuse, silt, fallen trees, abandoned vehicles, collapsed structures, and other debris obstructing roads, bridges, drains, and waterways,” Okae-Yeboah told a news conference in Accra.

He added that military engineering units and specialized machinery would be deployed to clear blocked drains, rivers and waterways, helping to restore the natural flow of water and prevent further flooding during future storms.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant as cleanup efforts continue, while humanitarian agencies and emergency responders work to assist displaced families and support recovery efforts in the hardest-hit communities. (ILKHA)

The government has pledged to strengthen disaster preparedness measures and improve drainage infrastructure as part of long-term efforts to mitigate the impact of increasingly frequent and severe flooding events. (ILKHA)