A 21-year-old Ghanaian graduate of the US-based Howard University has revealed the reason she chose to study architecture.

Daphne Arko-Dadzie was just nine years when she decided to chase the architecture dream after she had an awful experience with Greater Accra’s flooding issues.

In an interview, the Masters graduate said even though she was in the company of her mother, her fears could not be allayed when she saw flood water seeping through the windows of the car.

Her fright did not kill her self-esteem, however, it ignited a dream and desire in the then 9-year-old to work hard in order to find a solution to the problem.

Knowing that the capital’s battle with flooding is due to its planning, Daphne knew restructuring the buildings in Accra will be the first step towards winning the war against floods.

“I first decided that I wanted to be an architect when I was around 9 years old. It was mainly because of the flooding in Accra. I remember my mother was driving and the water was coming up to the window and I got scared.

“This is because of the way Accra is planned, the buildings, and the gutters. And I just knew that I wanted to be part of solving this problem. So that was the starting point for me, and I thought to help our environment, we need to start with our buildings,” she said.

Young Daphne did not let her ambition stay only in her mind, she put her shoulder to the wheel and worked hard to see her dream come to fruition.

Daphne began her academics at Merton International School in Accra, Ghana, and then proceeded to the Columbia International College in Hamilton, Canada.

After obtaining outstanding grades, she enrolled in the prestigious Howard University’s accredited Architecture program, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and Design Studies and her Master of Architecture within 5 years.

With a solid background in Sustainability and Urban Design, and extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors, Daphne, 21 seeks to change the Accra flooding situation one building at a time.

She also aspires to mentor other young ladies like herself to achieve their potential as well as to reach greater heights in the global architectural industry.