Two bodies have been retrieved from the Waterland in Tema New Town following Monday's downpour.
The deceased have been identified as Elizabeth Quansah, a one-month postpartum mother, and Obeng Cudjoe, father of another newborn baby.
The Tema New Town Police Command has conveyed their remains to the mortuary.
The torrential rains, which swept across the Tema Metropolis and adjoining communities, triggered widespread flooding and a series of emergency incidents, prompting a response from the Tema Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
According to the GNFS, communities including Tema, Prampram, Dawhenya, Afienya and Appolonia were severely affected by the downpour, leaving many residents stranded and disrupting transportation and commercial activities.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, personnel from the region's nine active fire stations responded to a total of 23 emergency incidents within a 24-hour period.
The incidents included six fire outbreaks, all of which were swiftly contained by firefighters, preventing further destruction to lives and property.
Strong winds accompanying the rains also uprooted seven trees, several of which fell across major roads, obstructing vehicular movement and posing danger to motorists. Firefighters worked to clear the roads and restore safe passage for road users.
The Public Relations Officer for the Tema Regional Fire Service Command, Divisional Officer Grade II, Ebenezer Yenzu said Fire and Rescue officers attended to eight flood-related incidents and successfully rescued 12 persons who had become trapped by rising floodwaters.
At Tema New Town, where flooding was particularly severe, firefighters assisted more than 50 residents to safety, helping to avert what could have been a more devastating tragedy.
In a separate incident, a perimeter wall collapsed onto an LPG installation due to the heavy rains. Firefighters quickly secured the area and managed the potential hazard, preventing what could have escalated into a major fire outbreak or explosion.
DO II Yenzu said regrettably, one person was reported missing following the collapse of a paved drain used as a pedestrian walkway at the Tema Community One Market.
The victim, a female trader believed to be in her 50s, he said, was suspected to have been swept away by fast-moving floodwaters after the structure gave way.
The Tema Regional Command commended its officers for their professionalism, dedication and resilience throughout the emergency operations.
The Command also urged the public to exercise extreme caution during periods of heavy rainfall by avoiding floodwaters, staying away from weakened structures and keeping clear of drains and waterways.
Do II Yenzu reiterated GNFS commitment to protecting lives and property and encouraged members of the public to promptly report emergencies through the emergency numbers 0303 202554, 112 or 192 for immediate assistance.
Flooded cemetery
In a related development the torrential rains that lashed the Tema Metropolis on Monday also caused flooding at the Tema Community 9 Cemetery, with parts of the facility, including main entrance, submerged in floodwaters, at the time of filing this report, the water had receded but significant puddles were seen at the entrance.
Meanwhile, residents affected by the recent floods have described the incident as the worst they have witnessed in more than 20 years, as several communities continue to count their losses following the heavy downpour.
Some of the victims said homes were inundated, personal belongings destroyed, and livelihoods disrupted after floodwaters swept through their communities.
Speaking in separate interviews, some residents recounted how the floods entered their homes within minutes, leaving them with little time to salvage their possessions.
"This is the worst flooding we have seen in over 20 years," Robert Adjetey, a resident of Tema Manhean said.
"We have experienced floods before, but nothing compares to what happened this time." He added
For Charity Adjei a fish monger, the flooding, triggered by hours of intense rainfall, affected several households and displaced a number of residents.
She appealed to authorities to urgently improve drainage infrastructure and implement lasting measures to prevent a recurrence.
Residents also called on the government and other stakeholders to provide relief items to affected families as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.
They also urged the government and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) to take immediate steps to address the challenge by restoring and desilting the Chemu Lagoon.
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