By: Nana Kwasi Roka – Nationaltymes.com
ON BEHALF of the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu and the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Education has expressed deep shock and sadness over the untimely deaths of seven students of Lawra Senior High School who lost their lives in a tragic boat accident on the morning of Saturday, June 15, 2025.
The students, all members of the school’s cadet corps, were reportedly engaged in a routine early morning jogging exercise when the unfortunate incident occurred.
According to preliminary reports, the ten students attempted to cross the Black Volta River near Dikpe into neighboring Burkina Faso using a canoe. Tragically, the boat capsized midway through the crossing.
While three of the students were rescued, seven – five girls and two boys – drowned in the river. Their bodies have since been recovered by a joint team from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Education Service.
Confirming the incident, the Upper West Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for Lawra provided updates to the Ministry, prompting swift response measures.
In light of the tragedy, the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Director General of the Ghana Education Service to convene an emergency meeting with the Regional and District Directors of Education, along with the headmaster of Lawra SHS.
The meeting is expected to produce a full report on the circumstances that led to the accident and propose measures to prevent future occurrences.
“We share in the grief of the affected families and the entire school community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this extremely difficult time,” the Ministry said in the press release signed by Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak.
As investigations continue, the Ministry of Education has assured the public that it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students in educational institutions across the country.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
