A sudden and intense three-and-a-half-hour downpour on Thursday morning caused flash floods in parts of Cape Coast, leaving several streets, homes and businesses waterlogged.
Traders in the busy Kotokuraba Central Business District and nearby Abura were forced to hurriedly repack their goods and raise them above flood levels as rainwater swept through shops and pavements.
Many shop owners stood anxiously at their entrances watching the skies while trying to protect their merchandise from damage.
A roving team from the Ghana News Agency observed that within just 30 minutes of rainfall, several roads, including NIB Road, Melcom, and the stretch from Kingsway through Republic Bank Road to the Tantri lorry station, experienced overflowing gutters that spilled plastic waste onto the streets.
Low-lying communities such as Apewosika, Kakumdo and Effutu in the Cape Coast North Constituency were also heavily affected.
Although no deaths or major destruction were recorded, the floods disrupted movement across the city as drivers struggled through flooded roads while pedestrians waded through water to continue their daily activities.
Some pragya and taxi drivers reportedly took advantage of the situation by increasing transport fares on routes including Kingsway to Abura, Nkanfoa and Kotokuraba.
Despite the flooding, some residents noted that the heavy rains temporarily washed away accumulated filth and foul-smelling garbage in parts of the city, especially at Anaafo.
Residents have since appealed to the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly to urgently clear blocked gutters and improve drainage systems to prevent future flooding.
Madam Ama Esuon, a trader, blamed the floods on choked drains and called on city authorities to act quickly before the situation worsens.
“The Metro Assembly should act quickly before it gets worse,” she said.
Another resident, Mr. Yaw Danful of Ayikooayikoo near the Tantri lorry station, attributed the recurring floods to poor urban planning and inadequate drainage infrastructure.
“We need a comprehensive solution, not temporary fixes. Bad planning is our bane,” he stated.
A student of Cape Coast Technical University, Ms. Akua Addo, also expressed frustration over the frequent flooding.
“We are tired of being stranded in our homes. This must change,” she said.
Residents are calling for long-term flood mitigation measures, including regular desilting of gutters, improved drainage infrastructure and better urban planning across the metropolis.
