Ghana Investigates Tragic Deaths Of 7 High School Students

Source: Africa Publicity

The Ghana Education Service (GES) says it has commenced an investigation into a drowning incident that resulted in the deaths of seven Senior High School (SHS) students.

The students from the Lawra Senior High School in the Upper West Region, drowned in the Black Volta River on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 16, GES expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

According to the statement, a total of 16 second-year students from the school’s cadet corps had embarked on a routine morning jogging activity to the banks of the Black Volta River near Dikpe.

The statement says 10 of the students decided to cross the river in a canoe, which capsized midway through the journey.

It added that the drowning incident led to the death of seven students: five girls, Loise Kaati, Florence Kandera, Joyce Kuzare, Evelyn Batumatu, and Munira Abu, and two boys, Maxwell Dampuorideme and Alfred Foyi. Three others were rescued alive.

According to the statement, the bodies of all deceased students had been successfully retrieved with the assistance of the Ghana Police Service, school authorities, and members of the Lawra community.

It says one of the students, a Muslim, has already been buried under Islamic rites.

Funeral rites for the other victims were held on Monday, June 16, in collaboration with their families.

While investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent future occurrences, the GES has assured the public that psychological and emotional support is being provided to the surviving cadet members who are currently on campus.