Government says it is intensifying safety measures along the Black Volta River following the tragic drowning of seven students from Lawra Senior High School.
The students, all members of the school’s cadet corps, lost their lives after their canoe capsized midstream during a morning jogging exercise. They were attempting to cross the river using an old wooden canoe when the incident occurred.
Interior Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, delivering a statement in Parliament, said the Ghana Maritime Authority has been directed to heighten surveillance and enforcement of life-saving protocols along the river.
“Regional Security Council, through coordinated effort with all relevant agencies, have put in place the following measures: regular sensitization of canoe owners and operators and residents along the Black Volta basin; sensitization of students and identifiable bodies on maritime safety,” he said.
He added that the Ghana Maritime Authority has distributed life jackets to canoe operators along the river and will undertake routine checks to ensure their usage. The Authority will also monitor the condition of the canoes to ensure they are safe and properly maintained.
In addition, the Ministry will provide psychosocial support to students of Lawra SHS, particularly the three who survived the incident.
“It is expected that these measures put in place by the Upper West Regional Security Council will avert the future occurrence of this unfortunate incident that has taken the lives of these future leaders,” the Minister noted.
MP for Lawra, Bede Ziedeng, also called for more sustainable safety measures. He urged the provision of metal canoes to replace old wooden ones and the deployment of marine guards to monitor river transport in the area.
“One of the reasons why that incident happened at all is because that canoe, which was used, is a wooden canoe and it’s an old canoe and so it is easy for it to leak,” Ziedeng explained.
He said the Ghana Maritime Authority has positively received his proposal and is considering replacing the older canoes with more durable metal ones. Additionally, marine guards will be stationed in riverine communities to provide guidance and enforce safety protocols.
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