Mary Manu, a 15-year-old girl from Ghana, has developed a device aimed at reducing road accidents. The device is known as the anti-sleep device for drivers.
Inspired by a personal tragedy in 2019 when her father lost his life in a head-on collision, Mary created the “Anti-sleep alarm for motorists.” This device is designed to detect when drivers are dozing off by monitoring eye blinks and, if necessary, wakes them up with a buzzer. If the driver fails to respond, the device automatically slows down the vehicle and sends the driver’s GPS location to an emergency contact.
The tragic loss of her father deeply affected Mary, making it difficult for her to focus on studies and leading her to briefly consider discontinuing her education. The void left by her father’s absence was profound, and witnessing classmates with their fathers only intensified her grief.
Further tragedy struck when Mary’s seven-year-old brother was also killed in a road accident two years after her father’s death. These devastating events fueled Mary’s determination to become a surgeon, aspiring to save lives and prevent others from experiencing the pain of losing loved ones through accidents.
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In the face of grief, Mary found strength and resilience. Participating in the Ghana Science and Tech Explorer Prize Challenge (GSTEP) with her fellow innovators, Mary and her team developed a prototype to address motor and car accidents. Their invention aims to contribute to reducing the alarming increase in road accidents, as reported by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, which recorded a 5.5 percent rise in 2023.
Mary’s story is one of determination, hope, and resilience, demonstrating how she and her team are committed to changing the narrative and making a positive impact on road safety in Ghana.