Atikagome, a community in the Sene East District of the Bono East Region, is to be provided with a school after eight pupils drowned while crossing the Volta Lake.
Eight out of 20 school children drowned while travelling to school in the nearby community of Wayokope on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
While addressing the incident, the District Chief Executive (DCE), G.J. Kofi Gyimah, has assured that the community will get a school before the end of 2023.
He said that measures are being put in place by thecommunity leadershipy and other stakeholders to build a learning facility for the community.
He explained that this is to ease the stress and risk of students travelling by water to access education.
“We’re having a meeting, and the education director will be part of it. So, we’re looking at having a permanent school for that community because it’s a very large community,” he stated.
Mr Gyimah added that efforts are being made to secure enough teachers to facilitate teaching in the school upon completion.
He also debunked reports circulating on social media that the canoe used by the children was rickety.
“When you look at the canoe on social media, that is not the actual canoe. In our area, nobody goes with a canoe that has cork, metal, and sideways nails in it. So, clearly, it shows that it’s not our water,” he explained.
He said the incident happened as a result of the canoe carrying more than its usual capacity.
Meanwhile, two of the twelve survivors are responding to treatment in some hospitals within the district.