Work from home as flooding intensifies – Interior Minister urges Accra residents

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has appealed to residents of Accra to work from home following severe overnight rainfall that caused widespread flooding, left several roads impassable, and disrupted movement across parts of the capital.

The Minister's appeal comes as emergency response agencies intensify rescue and relief operations amid forecasts of additional heavy rainfall that could further worsen the flooding situation.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Monday, Mr Muntaka said weather forecasts from the Ghana Meteorological Agency indicate that more rainfall is expected, including weather systems moving from neighbouring Togo.

Based on what the Meteorological Department is telling us, we expect it to be heavier if the prediction of more rains from Togo gets here, so please, stay home, work from home," he urged.

Mr Muntaka advised workers who had not yet left their homes to avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary, while encouraging those already at their workplaces to remain indoors until weather conditions improve.

He also called on employers in both the public and private sectors to implement flexible working arrangements to reduce unnecessary movement and ensure business continuity during the emergency.

According to him, organisations should take advantage of digital technology by conducting meetings virtually where possible 

Private and public meetings that are not too urgent, we can have them on Zoom, and those that are very urgent, we can postpone them," the Minister said.

He stressed that reducing traffic on the roads would not only enhance public safety but also allow emergency responders easier access to flood-affected communities.

The Interior Minister commended the various emergency services already deployed to respond to the flooding, acknowledging their efforts to rescue stranded residents, manage traffic, and provide relief to affected communities.

He praised the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Navy, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and other emergency response teams for their swift intervention.

I want to thank NADMO, the Navy, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police and all the emergency teams for the work they have already started doing," he stated.

Mr Muntaka further urged emergency agencies to strengthen coordination and work seamlessly as a unified response team.

He encouraged personnel to refer distress calls to the appropriate agencies where necessary rather than turning away requests for assistance.

Please be connected. If a call comes to the National Fire Service and you think it is something you need to link them to NADMO, don't say this is not for us. Please let us work together; let us operationalise the thing as one unit," he added.

The government's appeal comes as torrential rains continue to cause severe flooding across several parts of Accra, resulting in heavy traffic congestion, stranded commuters, and disruptions to economic activities.

Authorities have advised residents living in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant, avoid driving or walking through flooded roads, and follow updates from emergency services and weather officials as the situation develops.

Emergency response teams remain on high alert as forecasts suggest further rainfall could impact already flooded areas.