Kumasi under water

Many parts of Kumasi were buried under water last Thursday night following hours of heavy rain.

A day earlier, the city went through a similar experience that claimed the life of a baby.

Last Thursday’s rain left commuters stranded, with some spending the night in the Central Business District of Adum.

Effects Vehicles and container shops were submerged as those on high-rise buildings were seen screaming for help. Some electricity poles were destroyed in the process and parts of Asafo, Asuoyeboa, Abuakwa had their power supply cut off.

A day after the storm, officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the authorities visited Adum, Aboabo, Sawaba and other low lying areas to salvage the situation.

The destruction by the rain has become an annual ritual with little action by the city authorities.

Authority

A year ago, both the KMA and the NADMO promised to pull down structures on water courses but little has been done. Sadly though, the new Kejetia Market, which is yet to be fully occupied by traders, was affected, with stalls flooded.

The newly built edifice of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in front of the market, was not spared either and was badly affected as residents questioned the engineering works that went into the construction.

KMA’s response

The Head of Spatial Planning (formerly Town and country Planning) of the KMA, Mr Ben Agyemin Boateng, told the Daily Graphic that stringent measures were being put in place to solve the annual flooding.

The details are under wraps but as usual, he said, it would involve the demolition of unauthorised structures especially those on water courses. "I'm in a meeting now. Can we talk in the next two hours for details of what we intend to do?” he said.

Anger Residents in affected areas at the time of the visit yesterday were fuming with rage, describing actions by the city authorities as ineffective and insufficient. At Sawaba,for instance, residents promised to vent their spleen on any government official who attempted to visit the area.