Disturbing Surge: 36 lives lost in recent river drowning incidents
In recent months, communities along river banks have been left in mourning as a disturbing surge in river drowning incidents has taken center stage.
The very waters that once offered solace and recreational opportunities have transformed into a treacherous foe, claiming lives.
The serene facade conceals an alarming truth. Incidents of river drownings have escalated at an alarming rate.
According to WHO, globally, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death. It is responsible for about 7% of all death due to injuries.
Annually, about 240,000 people die due to drowning.
In 2018 alone, drowning deaths in Ghana reached 1,206 or 0.60% of total deaths.
Researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) revealed that a total of 1,449 drowning cases were recorded in the last three years.
The growing number of deaths related to river drowning is not merely a statistical figure; it is a haunting tale of shattered families, grieving communities, and the persistent question of what more can be done to prevent such tragedies.
The Ghana Report news desk takes a look at the drowning incidents that have occurred within the last six months.
The cases were reported between January and June 2023. In all, 36 deaths were recorded.
Eight Students Drown
On January 24, eight pupils from the Atikagome Community in the Sene East District of the Bono East region lost their lives when a boat they were traveling on to school capsized on the Volta Lake.
The eight were among 20 pupils who were traveling from Atikagome to Wayokope when the incident occurred midway into the journey.
Officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) confirmed the sad incident.
According to NADMO, the deceased persons were five boys and three girls between the ages of five and 12.
12 pupils managed to swim to safety.
25-Year-Old Man Drowns In Volta River At Adidome
On March 2, Goka Selorm drowned in the Volta River at a popular waterfront resort, Eli Beach at Adidome in the Volta Region.
He went to the resort with his friend to relax at about 5 pm on the fateful Thursday when the incident occurred.
They were cautioned by the security man at the resort not to swim, but they ignored him.
Minutes later, the security man received a distress call from the bar attendant about the drowning.
Goka Selorm was the second of two children of his parents.
Farmer Drowns After Canoe Capsizes At Asesewa
On March 15, a 33-year-old farmer drowned in the Porpor River at Porpornya-Fantem near Asesewa in the Eastern Region.
Reports indicate that he was transporting some seedlings across the river to his farm when the canoe capsized.
The deceased, identified as Emmanuel Offei Wilson was said to be travelling with his 25-year-old farmhand when the accident occurred.
While his farmhand swam to call for help, Offei reportedly drowned before rescuers arrived due to his inability to swim.
The Assembly Member for Apimsu-Fantem Electoral Area, Ahelegbey Freeman who confirmed the incident said water seeped into the canoe as the two got to the middle of their journey.
Teenage Siblings Drown
On April 15, two teenage siblings and their friend drowned in the White Volta River at Naaga, in the Upper East Region.
Two boys and one girl were among eight teenagers between the ages of 11 and 17 who had gone to wash mangoes and swim in the river.
They drifted toward the deep part of the river, leading to the three deaths.
However, five of them managed to swim back to the riverside.
Two Galamseyers Drown
On April 20, two illegal miners drowned after a canoe they were traveling on capsized on River Pra at Awisam in the Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.
The illegal miners were returning from the mining site when the unfortunate incident occurred.
According to the report, the 11 illegal miners were traveling on a 5-seater passenger canoe, it was thus obvious the canoe was under heavier weight than it was legally permitted. Along the journey, the canoe capsized when it hit a rock.
Nine of the miners managed to swim to safety, but two others were unable to do so.
Three Die In The Volta Lake
On May 4, three people reportedly died in the Volta Lake at Yeji in the Bono East Region.
According to reports, the deceased persons from Makango in the Savanna Region missed the ferry to Yeji and decided to travel by boat.
However, the boat capsized during a storm on the river leading to their demise.
The boat operator, Jacob Adinortey, survived the incident.
Nine School Children Drown
On May 13, nine schoolchildren drowned after the boat they were traveling on capsized on the estuary at Wiaboman.
The family and friends of the children could not hold back their tears at their funeral.
The incident happened on Wednesday, May 10.
Many asked why the Ghana Education Service (GES) failed to provide life jackets for students living on island communities.
JHS Student Drowns
On May 24, an 18-year-old JHS student who was trying to impress his friends drowned in River Ochi, in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
The deceased, a student of Assin Andoe D/A Basic School, attempted to swim for a reward of Gh₵10.
The late Stephen Nimako-Appau sank immediately after he dived into the river.
Sensing danger, his friends rushed home to inform the elders of the town about the incident.
Fisherman Drowns In Volta Lake
On Thursday, May 25, a 22-year-old fisherman drowned in the Volta Lake in the Pru East District of the Bono East Region.
Emmanuel reportedly returned to Akyem Oda less than two weeks ago.
According to his master, John Mensah, who is also a fisherman, the young man met his untimely death on his second attempt at fishing.
John Mensah said the deceased jumped into the river for their fishing nets and drowned.
Another JHS Student Drowns
On June 14, a 19-year-old Junior High School student of Tieku Basic School, in Nsawam Adoagyiri municipality in the Eastern region, drowned in the Densu River.
The deceased, Shadrach Addy, is said to have gone to the river with his friends to swim without permission from teachers.
However, while swimming at about 2:00 pm, Shadrach drowned as all efforts to rescue him failed.
The body was swept away by the river but retrieved the following morning around 10:30 am.
Two Brothers Drown In Owabi River
Two brothers met their untimely death in June 2023.
Kwaku Aboagye, 40, and Kwame Asuman, 50, drowned in the Owabi River at Atafoa in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region following heavy rains on Wednesday, June 21.
They were trapped in the river for several hours, leading to their death.
Three Daboase SHTS Drown in Subri River
On Saturday, June 24, three students of the Daboase Senior High Technical School in the Western Region drowned in the Subri River.
The victims, all first-year students, had sneaked out of their dormitory to swim in the Subri River, which had overflown its banks due to the heavy rains.
The DCE for Wassa East, Emmanuel Boakye, who confirmed this sad news, indicated that the three were in the company of four others who went swimming.
Christian Dennis Acquah, Lesley Nana Yaw Ampong, and Richard Baidoo have since been buried.
Two Children Drown in Akora River
On June 26, two children reportedly drowned in the Akora River in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.
The victims, Abdul Rahman, an eight-year-old boy, and Fatao, an 11-year-old met their untimely death after they had gone for afternoon prayers.
An aunt of the deceased Fatimatu Abdullah revealed that they were at home when they received the distressing news that their children had drowned in the Akora River.