By Julius ST. Baayel
Nandom, North Western Ghana, April 16, 2025

A violent rainstorm that swept through the Nandom Municipality on the evening of April 15, 2025, left a trail of destruction in its wake, particularly affecting the Gengenkpe community, located about 15 kilometers west of the municipal capital. The storm claimed the life of a 15-year-old girl and left another woman in critical condition.

In an interview with Hon. Eric Naatikyere, Assembly Member for the Gengenkpe Electoral Area, he reported that numerous buildings were destroyed, including the Gengenkpe Junior High School, the local clinic, the ongoing SOCO project site, and approximately 30 households—a figure that could rise, according to officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) who are still assessing the damage.
This reporter counted over twenty high- and low-tension electric poles felled between Kusele—an adjoining community—and Gengenkpe, resulting in a total blackout across the affected enclave. An eyewitness recounted the terrifying moments of the storm, which began around 3:30 p.m., rapidly escalating in intensity.

The 15-year-old victim, identified as Pearl Tulong, and her sister—a breastfeeding mother—attempted to seek refuge under a mango tree in front of their home. Tragically, a lightning strike hit the tree, rendering both of them unconscious. While the sister later regained consciousness, Pearl did not survive.

At the time of filing this report, only NADMO officials and representatives from the Volta River Authority (VRA) had visited the disaster site. NADMO representatives stated that they were still collecting data and were not yet ready to provide an official briefing.

Beyond the immediate loss, the storm has reignited conversations around environmental degradation, especially the widespread felling of trees. Community members lamented the rapid desertification of the area, noting that the storm’s intensity was worsened by the lack of natural windbreaks. “The electric poles stood no chance—there were no trees left to shield them,” one resident remarked. As the community mourns the loss of young Pearl Tulong, calls are growing for urgent reforestation efforts and stricter enforcement of environmental protection policies.

Source: Nandom FM