The Black Volta tragedy has prompted an immediate investigation by the Ghana Education Service (GES), following the heartbreaking loss of seven students from Lawra Senior High School in the Upper West Region.
Authorities are determined to uncover the factors that led to the canoe accident and implement stronger safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
In an official statement signed by Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations, the GES announced that a thorough inquiry is underway in collaboration with security agencies.
The goal of this investigation is to establish exactly how the tragedy occurred and to ensure that all necessary precautions are put in place across schools nationwide to safeguard students during extracurricular activities.
“While at it, the surviving cadet members are currently on campus receiving psychological and emotional support.
“The Management of GES is working closely with the Regional and District Directors of Education, the school’s administration, and all relevant stakeholders to support the affected families and ensure the welfare of all students.”
Ghana Education Service (GES)
According to the GES, the incident unfolded on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, when sixteen second-year cadet corps students from Lawra SHS went for their usual morning jogging exercise.
Their routine took them to the banks of the Black Volta River near Dikpe. Once there, ten of the students decided to board a canoe in an attempt to cross the river. Unfortunately, midway across the water, the canoe capsized.
Seven of the students, including five girls—Loise Kaati, Florence Kandera, Joyce Kuzare, Evelyn Batumatu, and Munira Abu—and two boys, Maxwell Dampuorideme and Alfred Foyi, tragically drowned.
The remaining three students aboard the canoe were successfully rescued through swift efforts by local responders and security forces.
The bodies of the deceased were retrieved from the river thanks to a combined search operation involving the Lawra community, the Ghana Police Service, the school’s administration, and local volunteers.
One of the victims, who was Muslim, was buried according to Islamic customs shortly after recovery. The remaining six students were laid to rest on Monday, June 16, 2025, in coordination with their grieving families.
GES Vows Reforms After Lawra Tragedy
In the wake of the tragedy, the GES emphasized that Lawra SHS remains a secure and conducive environment for learning.
The agency underscored its unwavering commitment to student safety, noting that additional safety protocols are already being reviewed and reinforced to prevent such incidents in the future.
“The Management of GES sincerely acknowledges and appreciates the tireless efforts of the security agencies, the Lawra SHS administration, all Headmasters in the region, Regional and District directors, the Regional Minister, the Lawra community, and the local search party whose timely interventions helped to search for, and retrieve, the bodies of our dear students.”
Ghana Education Service (GES)
Meanwhile, the entire Lawra community and the nation continue to mourn the loss of the seven students, whose untimely deaths have left a deep emotional scar.
This heartbreaking event has reignited urgent conversations about student safety, especially during outdoor activities that carry inherent risks.
While investigations proceed, educational authorities are looking to draw essential lessons from the tragedy.
The findings of the inquiry are expected to shape future policies governing student exercises and field activities, particularly those conducted near potentially hazardous areas such as rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
The GES stressed that while academic development and physical activities remain vital components of school life, safety must never be compromised.
Going forward, schools will be expected to adopt stricter guidelines and safety checks when organizing any form of extracurricular activity, ensuring that proper supervision, equipment, and safety measures are always in place.
As friends, families, and the entire educational community grieve the loss of these young lives, the tragedy at the Black Volta serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing student safety above all else.
The Ghana Education Service remains committed to learning from this painful episode and taking decisive steps to prevent a similar catastrophe from occurring again.
READ ALSO: Scotland Pledges Equal Winter Fuel Payments
