By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, on Sunday, June 15, 2025, visited Lawra in response to a tragic incident in which seven students from Lawra Senior High School (LAWSEC) drowned in the Black Volta River at Dikpe on Saturday, June 14.
Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that before heading to the accident scene at Dikpe, Mr. Puozuing paid a courtesy visit to the Lawra Palace to seek permission from the traditional authorities, showcasing his respect for customs and tradition.
At the palace, the Yagrpelle Naa, Naa Edwin Denge Dery, and other chiefs and elders received the Regional Minister and his entourage on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Lawra, Naa Puowele Karbo, who was out of town.
Mr. Puozuing was also briefed on the incident by the Lawra Municipal Coordinating Director, John Adongo, and the new Headmaster of LAWSEC, Primus Baro, who assumed leadership of the school just two weeks ago.
The Chief of Dikpe, Naa Yussif Yantol, informed the Regional Minister and his team, which included the Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Pognaa Hajia Fati Koray, and some service commanders, that of the seven bodies retrieved, five were females and two males.
He added that all the necessary traditional rites associated with the retrieval of the bodies had been performed.
After visiting the scene, Mr. Puozuing went to the school to speak with the students, offering them comfort and reassurance during this difficult time.
He also visited the mortuary to console some of the parents of the deceased who were present.
Although the recovery of the bodies allows for proper burial and some sense of closure, it remains a painful reminder of the tragic loss of young lives.
The Upper West Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Osman Abdul-Latif Sinsew, and the Upper West Regional Director of Education, Abdul-Razak Korah, were among the dignitaries who accompanied the Regional Minister to Lawra to express their sympathy and support following the loss.
