The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Asaa Manu, affectionately known as Kozie, has paid a visit to communities in the constituency that were severely affected by the devastating floods on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
The floods, which followed hours of heavy rainfall, claimed the lives of at least three people, including a four-year-old girl named Hajara, and caused significant damage to homes, shops, vehicles, and public infrastructure.
In response, Kozie visited the affected areas on Tuesday, May 21, 2025 to sympathize with residents, assess the extent of damage firsthand, and engage with relevant agencies working on the ground.
“This is not just a natural disaster; it is a wake-up call,” Kozie said. “We need to act urgently to correct the engineering and planning mistakes that have contributed to this tragedy. The lives and livelihoods lost here cannot go in vain.”
Her visit began at Nanakrom where she met families whose homes were submerged by the floods. She visited the grieving family of young Hajara, the four-year-old girl who tragically lost her life during the storm. Emotions ran high as she comforted the family and pledged her support.
“This is one of the hardest moments I’ve faced,” Kozie said. “No child should have to die because of poor planning and drainage. As a mother, I feel this loss deeply, and I want to assure this family and the entire community that I will do everything within my power to fight for reforms.”
In Lakeside, she walked through flood-ravaged homes and businesses, interacting with residents and small-scale business owners. At Emills Bakery, the owner, Madam Linda, expressed deep sorrow over the damage to her bakery equipment and supplies, but found solace in Kozie’s visit.
“The floods nearly wiped out everything I’ve worked for. Madam Kozie’s visit has given us some hope that our cries are being heard,” she said.
During her interactions, she came across the NADMO district officer who assured her that a project called “Free Waterways” had begun and its effective execution will bring relief to a lot of communities.
She commended them for taking that initiative and cautioned them that she will keep an eye out.
“Relief items are important, but what we need most is a fundamental rethink of our drainage systems and enforcement of planning regulations. We must stop treating disasters as one-off events. We have to build resilience,” she noted.
How’ever, despite the devastation, the mood among residents lifted slightly as Kozie assured them of continued support and follow-up action.
“This is my home too. I will continue to visit, listen, and advocate. Together, we can build a safer Adentan, one that is prepared for the future, not crippled by it,” she said.
Residents like Nana Ama, who lost valuables during the floods, expressed gratitude for the visit.
“It’s not just about politics. Madam Kozie came here, walked with us through the mess, and gave us hope. That means everything to us.”
Kozie, who herself towards the raining season last year funded the construction of some drainage systems in Lakeside was surprised to know that but for the drain she constructed, the devastation would have been worse.
Residents of the affected areas have blamed poor engineering practices particularly the decision to channel multiple drains into a single outlet as a major factor behind the flooding. Several accused road contractors of abandoning drainage works halfway and failing to consider the volume of runoff from nearby highlands like Oyarifa, Katamanso, and surrounding areas.
This, she called on the Municipal Assembly, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and other stakeholders to collaborate on an urgent drainage improvement plan, especially in growing peri-urban areas like Nanakrom and Lakeside.
