By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), in conjunction with the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (UWRCC), has organized a sensitization programme for members of five communities along the Black Volta River. This initiative followed the tragic drowning of seven students from Lawra Senior High School (LAWSEC) at Dikpe in the Lawra Municipality on June 14, 2025.
The programme was aimed at educating canoe operators and passengers on essential safety precautions to observe while using canoes. The sensitization drive also included the donation of thirty (30) life jackets to five communities. The beneficiary communities are Dikpe, Bagri, Cha, Tebrimetor, and Bapare/Gombile. Each of the communities received six life jackets from the GMA. The gesture was intended to enhance water safety and promote responsible behaviour among river users.
The Deputy Director of the Technical Services Division of GMA, Captain Clifford K. Adjarko, and the Head of Corporate Affairs of GMA, Issah Issahaku, led the awareness campaign with support from other staff. They emphasized the importance of water safety and demonstrated how to properly wear life jackets. Their expertise and commitment to promoting safety were evident throughout the programme.
The life jackets were formally presented to the beneficiary communities by the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing. The Regional Minister’s involvement underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens, particularly in rural areas where access to safety resources is at times limited.
As part of their visit, the Regional Minister and the GMA team also paid a condolence visit to LAWSEC.
They met with parents of the students who lost their lives in the Dikpe tragedy, as well as with staff and students of the school. Token packages were presented to the parents and LAWSEC to offer some solace during this difficult time.
The Headmaster of LAWSEC, Primus Baro, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the GMA and the Regional Minister for their thoughtful gesture. The GMA’s efforts to promote water safety are part of a broader initiative to reduce accidents on water bodies in Ghana. By educating the public and providing essential safety equipment, the Authority aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The event served as a strong reminder of the importance of safety awareness and community engagement. As the beneficiary communities begin to integrate the lessons learned into their daily lives, it is hoped that such initiatives will contribute to a reduction in water-related accidents in the Upper West Region.
