Heavy rains cause floods killing dozens in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire

Intense rainstorms over several days have flooded major West African cities, leaving at least 71 people dead – 59 in Côte d'Ivoire and 12 in Ghana – and displacing hundreds more. In Abidjan, the neighborhoods of Attécoubé and Yopougon were among the hardest hit, while Ghana’s capital Accra and the nearby city of Tema saw streets and buildings submerged.

Authorities in both countries struggled to reach affected areas, prompting the deployment of army units to assist rescue teams. Officials warned that more heavy rainfall is expected later in the week, raising concerns about additional casualties and further flooding.

The floods highlight the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events, even though West Africa contributes only a small share of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organization.