2 children found dead in open drain after going missing

Two young children have been discovered dead in an exposed drain at Gbawe Zero Machandi Estate in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The incident took place on Monday, August 25, 2025.

The victims, ages five and seven, had reportedly gone missing the day before and were last seen playing near the drainage area.

Residents, clearly shaken by the tragedy, expressed their anguish, pointing out that the drain had long been a “death trap”.

They criticised local authorities for overlooking numerous complaints about this hazardous situation.

There had been several calls for the drainage to be covered or properly addressed, yet no meaningful action was taken.

With heavy rains approaching, the community is anxious about the possibility of further tragedy, particularly as erosion is already compromising the main road in the area.

This comes after a 17-year-old student from Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region tragically drowned at Gyelen Bridge in the Bontibor farming community.

This incident occurred on Monday, August 17, as the student was making his way home from the farm.

The bridge, which was built just a year ago, had collapsed due to recent heavy rains, isolating the community from vital commercial activities.

Residents had voiced their concerns about the substandard materials used in its construction for some time, yet their worries were largely ignored.