Residents of Mankessim can now heave a sigh of relief as the Ministry of Special Development Initiative, as part of its $1million per constituency project, is constructing a drainage and other ancillary facilities to prevent flooding whenever it rains.

The team from the Ministry of Special Development Initiative led by the sector minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has been inspecting the 780-metre drainage facility which connects Anarfo, a suburb of Mankessim to other adjoining communities in the Mfantseman Municipality.

The drainage system will also have two bridges which will connect to the main Mankessim market and also serve as access road for vehicles.

The redevelopment of the Mankessim Market into a modern one which is part of the project will also help decongest the old market.

Many residents of Mankessim apart from losing their items to floods have to keep vigil and also spend days with family and friends whenever there is a heavy downpour.

For these residents, the construction of the drainage comes as a huge relief.

Elvis Otoo and Dora Anaman, both residents of Mankessim have given government high marks for the intervention.

“We are undoubtedly happy that this project has taken off. Now we can sleep whenever it rains. Anytime it rained we had to move from our homes and put up with friends and other family members in other areas,” Elvis says.

Minister for Special Development Initiative, Mavis Hawa Koomson, is optimistic that the first phase of the project would be completed in July.

She, however, debunks speculations that it was the erstwhile administration that sought the funds for the intervention.

“This is a project funded from the $1million, one constituency fund from my ministry. The MP and the Assembly all agreed that this is one of their headaches and they believe if we channeled their funds towards this project, it would help.

“It will be a shame for anyone to claim that this project is being done with funds procured by the erstwhile Mahama administration.

“There are more projects that are being done using the $1million, one constituency funds,” she explained.

For the MP for Mfansteman, Ekow Quansah Hayford, the construction of the drainage will be a huge relief to him as he will no longer have to visit the area whenever it rains.

“With this project, I will not only sleep, I will snore,” he said.

It is expected that the present intervention will help ease the fears of residents whenever it rains.