Heavy rains kill 12 in Ghana's capital, president declares disaster response

ACCRA, Ghana — Heavy rainfall in the Ghanaian capital has killed 12 people and left large parts of the country flooded, the National Fire Service said. The service reported the dead include 3 women, 8 men and 1 child, and that more than 470 people have been rescued so far. President John Dramani Mahama said preliminary data showed Accra received about 140 millimeters of rain, described as the highest level in recent years, compared with last year's daily peak of roughly 56 millimeters. Mahama attributed the rainfall to changing climate conditions and said the volume was beyond the government's control. A government spokesperson announced 300 million Ghanaian cedis, equivalent to about $27 million, has been allocated to assist those affected by the floods. The president also said the army and police have been placed under the National Disaster Management Organisation and other security agencies to support rescue and relief efforts in the capital. Neighboring Ivory Coast has also been hit by heavy rains. While authorities have not released an official death toll, a source close to the fire service and the Interior Minister told reporters the number of fatalities there stands at around 20.