Archival footage said to show the devastating 1995 Accra floods has resurfaced online, triggering painful comparisons with the latest flooding in Ghana’s capital and the deadly scenes emerging from Alajo.
The old footage shows submerged streets, stranded vehicles, damaged homes and residents struggling through floodwater — images that feel disturbingly familiar three decades later. Historical records confirm that severe flooding struck Accra in early July 1995, with a United Nations-linked situation report documenting heavy rain on July 3 and 4 that caused major destruction, particularly in low-lying communities.
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The renewed attention comes after the latest Accra floods produced another heartbreaking episode at Alajo, where a body was recovered from a commercial minibus trapped in a drain after floodwaters receded. A local resident identified as Atinka became the centre of public discussion after reportedly requesting GH¢3,000 from officials before assisting with the difficult recovery operation.
Atinka later explained that recovering bodies was not his responsibility and argued that such dangerous work should ordinarily be handled by trained state security and emergency personnel. He nevertheless said he eventually helped because the victim was also a human being and responders were struggling with the recovery.
The contrast between archival scenes from 1995 and present-day images from Alajo has reignited a difficult national question: how can Accra still be confronting scenes so similar after roughly three decades?
Flooding in the capital has repeatedly been linked to intense rainfall, inadequate drainage capacity, blocked waterways, poor waste disposal, development in flood-prone areas and weaknesses in urban planning and enforcement. For residents who have watched successive governments promise solutions, the resurfaced footage is more than history — it is a warning.
Images from the latest disaster have also captured acts of courage and desperation, from residents entering dangerous floodwaters to families attempting to protect children and rescuers confronting debris-filled drains. Some visuals circulating online are distressing and should be treated with sensitivity, especially where victims or children are involved.
As Ghana debates the latest tragedy, the 1995 footage stands as a haunting reminder that Accra’s flooding crisis did not begin yesterday. The deeper question is whether the country will continue documenting the same devastation for another generation or finally pursue sustained drainage reform, strict planning enforcement, responsible waste management and long-term flood prevention.
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