Mahama expected in Kumasi to commiserate with flood victims

President John Mahama is expected in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, Tuesday to see at first hand the extent of destruction after heavy rains left parts of the city completely submerged.

One person lost his life while others lost valuable properties over the weekend in the rain storm.

The worst affected areas are Aboabo, Dichemso, Airport Roundabout, Anloga, Asokore-Mampong amongst others in the Kumasi metropolis.

It took several hours for the fire service to rescue some residents of Aboabo who were trapped by flood waters.

Some residents in the area took to the streets in a violent protest against the Municipal Chief Executive who they accuse of failing to desilt the drains resulting in the floods.

They blocked the main road and burnt vehicle tires.

Luv FM's Erastus Asare Donkor reported Monday the president is expected to visit the area and to sympathise with the affected victims.

The residents are waiting patiently for the arrival of the president, he reported.

He also confirmed the arrival of some relief items to be distributed to the affected victims. The items include mattresses, blankets, mats, plastic cups, etc.

The residents are against a planned demolition exercise in the area.

The Kumasi Mayor, Kojo Bonsu and the MCE for Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly , Alhaji Nuru Hamidan have both hinted houses sited on waterways would be pulled down.

But the residents maintain demolition is not the way to go. They would rather Assembly concentrated on desilting the drains.