It has been a difficult Sunday for hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners across Ghana’s capital as a relentless downpour, which began in the early hours of March 29, 2026, left a trail of flooded shops and darkened streets. What was meant to be a busy Palm Sunday ahead of the Easter festivities turned into a day of frustration and lost revenue.
Floods Force Traders to Abandon Stalls
The rain, which started around 3:30 am, quickly overwhelmed low-lying areas of the Greater Accra Region. Communities such as Kaneshie, Mallam Junction, Dansoman, and Accra Central—all major hubs of commerce, recorded significant waterlogging.
For many traders, the day was lost before it even began. In areas like the Circle and Nima, business owners arrived to find their shops or homes flooded, forcing them to spend the day salvaging inventory rather than selling it. Small-scale traders who typically display their wares on sidewalks were hit the hardest, as the steady, intense rains made it impossible to set up their trade.
Power Outages Paralyze Food Vendors
Adding to the misery of the floods was a widespread power outage that has persisted well beyond midday. According to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the heavy rainstorm caused significant disruptions to the power grid across the Greater Accra Region.
This “light off” has been particularly devastating for the food and hospitality sector. Many caterers and local “chop bar” operators who rely on electricity to grind ingredients, power refrigerators, or heat ovens were unable to prepare meals for the Sunday crowd. Without power, those who sell perishable items also faced the grim reality of watching their stock spoil, adding to the financial burden of the day.
A Disrupted Palm Sunday
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) had previously warned of dangerous downpours over the weekend, and today’s weather proved those forecasts accurate. While no casualties have been officially reported, the economic impact is visible across the city.
For many businesses that were looking forward to the holiday uptick, the combination of high water and no power has made this a Sunday to forget. As the rains continue in some areas and the ECG works to restore power, many business owners can only hope for a drier, brighter Monday to recoup their losses.
