16-year-old boy drowns in River Nsakina

 A 16-year-old boy has drowned while swimming with friends in River Nsakina at Amasaman Odumase near Pokuase in the Ga West Municipality.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, August 20.

The victim, Godsway, was part of a group of nine friends who decided to go and swim in the river on Sunday morning.

According to one of the survivors, Pascal, the group decided to go and have a fun time at the riverside with plans of swimming.

However, the deceased upon getting into the river began to encounter some difficulties and struggled in the water.

READ ALSO: Disturbing Surge: 36 Lives Lost In Recent River Drowning Incidents

Whilst the deceased was struggling to swim out the remaining seven friends panicked and fled the scene, leaving Godsway behind.

The attempt to save him from the water’s grip, unfortunately, proved unsuccessful, leading to his tragic drowning.

It took a joint effort by the police to retrieve the body.

The exact circumstances that led to the drowning are still under scrutiny, as investigations commence.

Did you know that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related cause of mortality worldwide? Yes! It is! It is one of the top 10 global causes of death in children and adolescents, with children under five years old being most at risk.

Drowning usually happens within 20-60 seconds. It is a fast and silent killer. Drowning is a global under-recognized and neglected public health burden that kills a staggering 320,000 people annually. More than 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries with insufficient prevention measures.

According to WHO data published in 2020, drowning deaths in Ghana reached 740. Research conducted by KNUST also found 1449 drowning cases recorded in the last three years.

The magnitude of the drowning crisis and its devastating aftermath leave families and communities grappling with unimaginable pain. Take the case of Silas, my cousin, who is still waging a battle for survival, bedridden, enduring the excruciating pain of medications and injections. No one deserves to endure such agony. The repercussions extend beyond physical suffering.

With parents and family members forced to halt work to cope with the emotional turmoil, the burden of financial, emotional, and psychological strains weighs heavily on their shoulders. The trauma experienced by loved ones is profound and long-lasting, leaving an indelible psychological impact on those left behind after a drowning tragedy.

Drowning also places a significant economic strain on countries. The costs associated with search and rescue operations and emergency medical care cannot be calculated. Beyond the immediate financial impact, the loss of human potential is immeasurable. With each child or adult lost to drowning or enduring long-term disability, the nation forfeits valuable human resources that could have contributed to economic growth.

Ensuring the safety of all citizens is vital to harnessing their potential and preserving household income levels, preventing an increased reliance on social support systems.

The urgency to address this critical issue cannot be overstated, for it is not only a matter of preserving lives but also safeguarding the economic prosperity of our nation.

Solutions/suggestions/ What can be done to salvage the situation?

Emphasizing proactive prevention over reactive response is the key to success.

As adults, we often overlook the importance of basic swimming skills and the use of life jackets. Now is the time to introduce our children to swimming, and consider providing training for domestic staff and teachers, empowering them with the knowledge to assist our children in times of need.

Enacting and enforcing water safety policies and legislation is paramount in preventing drowning. For example, The Ghana Swimming Association has been actively advocating for the improvement of swimming pool facilities and safety standards in the country. Ghana must implement acts mandating safety barriers around residential and public pools. Pool owners should ensure comprehensive water safety education before anyone enters the pool.

The Ghana Education Service can play a pivotal role by introducing water safety education programs from crèche to high school, covering water hazards, safe behaviours, swimming skills, CPR, and rescue techniques. Active supervision, physical barriers, pool alarms, and signage are essential preventive measures.

Effective community-based interventions, customized to local needs and cultural contexts, have proven highly successful in preventing drowning incidents. Initiatives involving training local lifeguards, establishing water safety committees, and providing swimming lessons have yielded positive outcomes. The Ghana National Aquatic Rescue Unit (GNARU) serves as a prime example, training and deploying lifeguards in communities nationwide, leading to a significant reduction in drowning incidents.