Six-Year-Old Boy Drowns in Open Water Tank in Kasoa
A playful moment ends in tragedy as safety concerns grow over uncovered water storage facilities in residential communities.
A six-year-old boy has died after drowning in an uncovered water storage tank at Kasoa Wallantu, sparking renewed calls for stricter safety measures around open water facilities in homes.
The victim, identified as Godfred Aboagye, drowned on Monday, December 29, 2025, at a compound house in the area. The incident occurred while the child was playing within the compound.
According to preliminary findings by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the boy’s football accidentally rolled into an open, ground-level water tank. In an attempt to retrieve it, Godfred entered the tank but was unable to climb out or remain afloat, leading to his death.
The GNFS said it received a distress call at 5:03 p.m. and immediately dispatched a specialised rescue team to the scene. Fire officers arrived within ten minutes and completed the recovery operation by 5:28 p.m. However, the child had already drowned by the time rescuers reached him.
Godfred’s body was retrieved from the tank and handed over to the Ghana Police Service for preservation and further investigation.
In a statement issued after the incident, the GNFS described open water tanks, wells, and pits as serious hazards, especially in homes where children live. The Service urged parents, guardians, and property owners to ensure that all water storage facilities are properly covered and secured at all times.
The statement, signed by Divisional Officer Grade II Abdul Wasiu Hudu, warned that many such incidents are preventable and often occur within seconds when children are left unsupervised near unsecured water sources.
The tragedy has left the Kasoa community in mourning and has once again highlighted safety challenges in densely populated residential areas where open water storage is common. Safety advocates continue to call for the use of childproof covers and safer designs to prevent similar incidents.
The GNFS reaffirmed its commitment to public safety education and encouraged the public to familiarise themselves with emergency contact numbers to ensure prompt response during emergencies.
