In June 2015, heavy rain fell on Accra without stopping. The city’s drains were already choked with plastic bags, leaves, and mud, so the water had nowhere to go but into the streets. In a matter of hours, roads turned into rushing streams that swept away trash bins, stalled cars, and flooded shops. People who had ventured out for simple errands found themselves wading through cold, brown water that rose faster than they could move.
By the third day, the floodwaters had driven dozens of drivers and pedestrians to seek shelter under the metal canopy of the GOIL station at Kwame Nkrumah Circle. They pressed close together, hoping the roof would keep them dry and safe. Instead, a spark from the pumps ignited spilled fuel, and flames shot up through the standing water. In that moment, the flooded station became a trap, and more than a hundred people were stranded between fire and flood.
Rescue teams raced toward the station, but deep water and floating debris blocked every route. Trucks and ambulances could not reach the station, and rescuers on foot could only move so fast through the cold current. What should have been a simple evacuation turned into a desperate struggle for life, as cries for help echoed over the roar of rain and fire.
Since that tragedy, Accra’s rainy seasons have felt more dangerous. Concrete now covers many areas that once absorbed rain, and drains fill up almost instantly whenever it pours. Even short bursts of rain leave wide pools on the roads, hiding broken pavement, fallen wires, and sharp objects that can damage tires or injure anyone who tries to cross on foot. A puddle that looks shallow may be much deeper and far more dangerous than it appears.
When you see water covering the road, always stop and think twice before driving through it. Remember that even a few inches of moving water can push a car off course or stall the engine. If you must drive through a wet patch, go very slowly, keep your foot steady on the gas, and stay in low gear so your wheels keep turning. After passing through, pull onto a dry spot and press your brakes lightly to make sure they still work.
Above all, know that turning back is always the safest choice. A few extra minutes spent finding a clear route are worth more than risking your life in hidden depths. Let the memory of the 2015 GOIL station tragedy remind each of us how quickly simple rain can become a fierce danger—and how small acts of caution can protect us all.
