Emergency teams have rescued hundreds of people after heavy rain submerged parts of Accra, the authorities said

At least 12 people, including a mother and child, have been confirmed dead in Ghana following floods triggered by heavy rain, the West African nation’s authorities said. The country’s meteorological agency has warned of more rainfall.

The floods hit the capital, Accra, and the nearby city of Tema on Monday, submerging roads, homes, and buildings, and cutting off access to several areas, videos shared on social media show.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said it rescued more than 470 people as of Tuesday. It said the dead included three women, eight men, and one child. A rubber factory in the capital also caught fire amid the deluge.

GNFS spokesperson Alex King Nartey told AP that the mother and child were swept away in the Achimota-Agbogbloshie district. He said emergency services struggled to reach some areas and requested military assistance as rescue operations continued.

Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak said 7,761 households have been affected, with at least seven people reported missing.

Flooding is a recurring problem in Accra, where choked drains, rapid urban expansion, and construction on waterways have been blamed for worsening the impact of heavy rain. Earlier this month, downpours again flooded parts of the capital on the 11th anniversary of the June 3, 2015 flood and fire disaster that killed more than 150 people near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the capital.

🚨 Massive flooding has hit Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭🌊

Heavy rains have left roads submerged, stranded commuters, and caused major disruptions across parts of the capital. pic.twitter.com/SlOwajsuQZ

— Paradise News Line (@Paradisenewslin) June 29, 2026

🚒👨🏾‍🚒 YOU CALLED AND WE SWIFTLY RESPONDED WITH COMPASSION ❤️

Thankfully, the raging fire that engulfed a rubber manufacturing factory at Odawna, near Nkrumah Circle in Accra, is being brought under control by our adept firefighters,… pic.twitter.com/iC0EQFMLgt

— Ghana National Fire Service (@gnfsofficial) June 30, 2026

Speaking after touring affected areas on Tuesday, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said preliminary data showed that around 140 millimeters of rain fell in Accra, the heaviest rainfall recorded in years.

Mahama said, “blocked drainage channels and structures obstructing the natural flow of water continue to worsen the impact of heavy rainfall in several parts of the capital.” He ordered the release of 300 million Ghanaian cedis (around $26.5 million) for flood relief and mitigation efforts, and warned against illegal construction on waterways.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency issued an alert on Tuesday, warning of a rainstorm approaching southern Ghana, with thunderstorms and rain expected to spread to parts of the middle belt.

Neighboring Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) has also been hit by deadly flooding after days of heavy rain. Ivorian National Cohesion Minister Myss Belmonde Dogo said more than a dozen people died in Abidjan, the country’s economic capital.

A lithium mining deal in Ghana has come under intense scrutiny after details emerged revealing that the country will receive as little as five percent of the revenue from its own mineral wealth while foreign companies lock in the bulk of the output for American markets.

The mine, which is owned by an Australian company, is set to produce 3.6 million tonnes of lithium over 12 years. Half of that output is already committed to an American company that has existing supply deals with Tesla and LG Chem, two of the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturers. This makes Ghana’s lithium project the only US-bound lithium operation in all of Africa.

But the terms of the agreement have sparked outrage. Ghana’s share of the proceeds is limited to royalties ranging between five and twelve percent. With current global lithium prices sitting at low levels, the country is collecting at the bottom of that range, just five percent of the value of the resource leaving its soil. The remaining ninety five percent flows to foreign companies and shareholders outside the country.

The human cost of the deal is even more troubling. Farmers living near the mining site were told three years ago to stop planting crops because they would be resettled to make way for the mine. They were promised compensation and relocation. But to date, not a single cedi has been paid to them. Their livelihoods were halted based on a promise that has not been kept, and they have been left in limbo while the mining operation moves forward.

Ghanaians argue that the arrangement reflects a pattern that has played out across the continent for decades. African nations rich in critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper sign deals that extract massive wealth but leave local communities impoverished and governments with little to show for the depletion of non renewable resources. In this case, Ghana is surrendering a strategic mineral essential for the global energy transition while capturing only a fraction of its value.

The deal also raises questions about the role of American companies in Africa’s resource sector. The US company securing half of Ghana’s lithium output has positioned itself as a key supplier to Tesla and LG Chem, both dominant players in the electric vehicle industry. The arrangement ensures a steady supply chain for American and Asian manufacturing while Ghana’s contribution is reduced to that of a raw material provider with no stake in the value added processes downstream.

Environmental and human rights advocates are now calling for a review of the agreement. They point to the treatment of the displaced farmers as emblematic of a broader disregard for the welfare of communities hosting mining operations. Three years of waiting with no compensation is not merely an administrative delay, they argue, but a violation of basic rights and a breach of trust.

As global demand for lithium continues to rise, driven by the electric vehicle revolution, the terms of Ghana’s first lithium mine are being held up as a cautionary tale. The country is sitting on a resource that could power its own industrial development, but instead the mineral is being shipped out with most of the profits going elsewhere.

For the farmers who stopped planting three years ago, the promise of resettlement has become a cruel joke. For Ghana as a nation, the five percent royalty raises an uncomfortable question. If a country cannot secure a fair share of its own lithium, what does it truly own?

The Ghana Police Service has sent additional security personnel to Nkwanta in the Oti Region following renewed violent attacks in the area.

A news release from the Oti Regional Police Public Affairs Unit, today, March 26, 2026 indicated that the Inspector General of Police deployed two armoured vehicles together with officers from the National Police Operations on the night of March 25, 2026, to strengthen security. It explained that calm has since been restored.

The statement disclosed that a joint team made up of the Police, the Military, the Bureau of National Investigations, Defence Intelligence and the Ghana National Fire Service recovered five bodies from two different locations in the Nkwanta South Municipality.

It noted that the victims include three males and two females.

According to the Police, investigations have started to determine what led to the attacks and to identify those responsible.

It added that efforts are underway to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

The Police urged residents in Nkwanta and nearby communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by volunteering credible information to support the investigations.

It further cautioned the public against spreading false information or engaging in acts that could escalate tensions in the area.

Mr Agbodza addressing participants at the forum

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, has assured that by the end of 2027, about 70 per cent of road projects under the “Big Push” initiative will be completed nationwide.

Speaking at a public forum at the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Bono Region, as part of the Resetting Ghana Tour, the Minister disclosed that close to four major road projects were currently under construction in the area.

He emphasised that the John Dramani Mahama administration was shifting from the era of unfulfilled promises, assuring that tangible results would be delivered within the government’s tenure.

“You are in Sunyani, you see road projects ongoing. When you are in Jinijini, you see similar works. Our duty is to remain in the field and deliver. I can assure you that by the end of 2027, almost 70 per cent of ‘Big Push’ projects, including those in every region, will be completed,” he stated.

For his part, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, stated that the government was prioritising the completion of hospital projects, including those under the Agenda 111 programme.

He announced that effective April, all health facilities under the primary healthcare system would receive medical equipment procured by the government, a move he said would enhance healthcare delivery at no additional cost to the facilities. This includes mammogram and echocardiography machines, a dialysis centre, as well as the construction of an Infectious Disease Centre.

Mr. Akandoh further disclosed that under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the Sunyani Teaching Hospital was being retooled with modern equipment. These interventions, he emphasised, would strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improve overall healthcare delivery.

Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama is on the verge of a major breakthrough in the country’s mining sector as his company emerges as a leading contender to operate the Damang gold mine. The development follows the government’s decision not to renew the mining lease of Gold Fields, a South African company that has managed the site for years.

The Damang mine, located in Ghana’s Western Region, has long been a significant contributor to the country’s gold output. However, the decision to transfer control to a local operator reflects a broader shift in policy aimed at increasing indigenous participation in the extractive industry. Authorities have emphasized the importance of ensuring that more value from natural resources is retained within the country.

Mahama’s firm, Engineers and Planners, has been identified as a frontrunner in the transition process. If negotiations are finalised, the company is expected to assume operational control of the mine, a move that could require significant financial investment to sustain and expand production. Estimates suggest that revitalising the mine may involve substantial capital outlay, underscoring the scale of the undertaking.

The potential takeover is being viewed as a milestone for Ghana’s mining sector, as it would mark one of the first instances of a major gold mine being operated by a local company. Supporters of the move argue that it represents a step toward economic independence and a more equitable distribution of wealth generated from natural resources.

However, the development has also generated debate within political and business circles. Some observers have raised concerns about transparency and governance, particularly given Mahama’s prominence and connections within Ghana’s political landscape. Others worry about the challenges associated with transitioning from an established multinational operator to a local firm.

Despite these concerns, government officials have maintained that the decision aligns with national interests and reflects a commitment to strengthening local capacity in the mining industry. As discussions continue, the outcome of the Damang mine transition is expected to have significant implications for the future of resource management in Ghana.

Venezuela Ghana cooperation received fresh momentum during the third day of the CELAC-Africa High-Level Forum held in Bogotá, Colombia. The meeting between Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil and his Ghanaian counterpart Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa focused on deepening bilateral relations and identifying new areas for joint work.

The encounter, held on March 21, 2026, built on longstanding historical and political affinities between the two nations. Both ministers highlighted shared commitments to sovereignty, self-determination, and resistance against external interference.

According to a statement from Venezuela’s Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs shared via Telegram, the discussion centered on possible areas of cooperation to foster a more integrated partnership. These include potential collaboration in energy, agriculture, education, health, and cultural exchanges.

The talks positioned Venezuela Ghana cooperation as a concrete expression of broader South-South solidarity. Gil described the bilateral meeting as “a prelude to intercontinental dialogue”, underscoring Venezuela’s unwavering commitment to working alongside African nations on common projects.

Venezuela Ghana Cooperation Amid Broader CELAC-Africa Framework

The bilateral advance occurs within the larger framework of the CELAC-Africa High-Level Forum, hosted by Colombia as pro tempore president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). This landmark event, running from March 18 to 21, 2026, at the Ágora Convention Center in Bogotá, marks a significant step toward institutionalizing bi-regional dialogue.

The forum brings together delegations from CELAC member states and numerous African countries to address political, economic, academic, and cultural cooperation. It emphasizes shared histories of colonialism, struggles for independence, and contemporary challenges like unilateral sanctions and resource exploitation.

For official details on the CELAC-Africa High-Level Forum agenda and outcomes: Vice Presidency of Colombia – CELAC-Africa 2026.

Historical Foundations and Ghana’s Consistent Support

Since establishing formal diplomatic relations, Ghana has stood firmly with Venezuela on key international issues. Notably, Accra has repeatedly voiced opposition to unilateral coercive measures—commonly known as sanctions—imposed by the United States against Caracas.

In January 2026, following heightened tensions including reported foreign interventions, the Ghanaian government issued a strong statement condemning actions that violate international law, attempts at territorial occupation, and external control over natural resources. The communiqué warned of severe implications for global stability and the international order.

This position was widely interpreted in Caracas as clear backing for Venezuelan sovereignty. It aligns with Ghana’s broader foreign policy of supporting progressive causes and non-interference principles across the Global South.

Additional context on Ghana’s diplomatic stance can be found in reports from: Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Geopolitical and Regional Implications

Venezuela Ghana cooperation and the wider CELAC-Africa initiative carry substantial implications for the reconfiguration of global relations. In an era of shifting power dynamics, multipolarity, and challenges to Western-dominated institutions, strengthened ties between Latin America-Caribbean and Africa represent a strategic effort to build autonomous development paths.

The forum and bilateral engagements counter isolation attempts through sanctions and interventionism, promoting alternative trade, investment, and technology transfer mechanisms free from conditionalities. They reinforce the role of the Global South in shaping international agendas on climate justice, debt relief, food security, and equitable resource governance.

By fostering political coordination, these links could influence forums like the United Nations, G77+China, and the Non-Aligned Movement, amplifying voices against unilateralism and in favor of reformed multilateralism.

Commitment to Shared Projects and Future Collaboration

Minister Gil reiterated Venezuela’s dedication to joint initiatives with African partners. The meeting explored practical steps to translate political goodwill into tangible outcomes, including potential agreements in strategic sectors.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Ablakwa echoed the sentiment, emphasizing mutual benefits from enhanced ties. Both sides expressed optimism about future high-level exchanges and technical cooperation programs.

The encounter reflects a growing trend of intercontinental solidarity among nations facing similar external pressures. It positions Venezuela Ghana cooperation as a model for other pairings within the CELAC-Africa space.

As the forum concludes with high-level segments—including heads of state meetings and declarations—the advances made in Bogotá signal concrete progress toward birregional integration. For Venezuela and Ghana, this represents not only strengthened bilateral links but also active participation in reshaping a more just and multipolar world order.

— Min. del P.P. para Relaciones Exteriores (@Cancilleria_ve) March 21, 2026