Heavy rainfall in the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District has led to two separate drowning incidents, leaving one person dead and another missing.
The first incident occurred in Morkwa, where a 45-year-old man went missing three days ago. His body was retrieved from the Pra River on Monday, June 8, by local residents and NADMO officials.
In a separate incident on the same day, Alfred Kumi, a recent Junior High School graduate from Gomoa Ohua in the Gomoa West District, went missing after going to bathe in the Osen River at Twifo Edugyaa. According to family sources, Alfred had been visiting his father in Twifo Edugyaa to seek financial support to continue his education after completing his BECE last month. His body had not been recovered as of Monday evening.
The District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr. James Pra, confirmed both incidents to the media. He said one body had been recovered while search and rescue efforts were still underway for the second victim.
Mr. Pra expressed concern over the recurring deaths in the district’s rivers and attributed part of the risk to illegal sand winning activities along riverbanks. He warned residents to desist from the practice, stating that it destabilizes riverbanks and creates dangerous conditions that contribute to avoidable drownings.
He also appealed to regional and national NADMO authorities for support, requesting the provision of life jackets and other essential equipment to strengthen emergency response operations in the district.
