Bodies Of Four Drowned Farmers Recovered From Dam
All four bodies of farmers from Galinkpegu who drowned in the Golinga Dam in the Tolon District of the Northern region over the weekend have been recovered.
The victims were returning from their farms situated on the western side of the Golinga Dam when the unfortunate incident occurred.
On Saturday, August 12, three bodies were successfully retrieved around 4 pm, while the fourth body was recovered on Sunday, August 13.
The deceased persons have been identified as Alhassan Zakaria, 40; Yakubu Danah,45; Alhassan Musah, 45; and Issah Baako, 46.
The recovered bodies of Alhassan Zakaria, Yakubu Danah, Alhassan Musah, and Issah Baako were subjected to rituals at the dam’s bank before their respective burials per Islamic customs.
Similar rituals were performed for the last body before final interment.
According to one of the survivors, the canoe tilted due to uneven weight distribution as they were paddling back.
Residents from Galinkpegu and Gbalahagu came to the saving to save Masahodu Issah, Dana Nablido, and Sadiq Yussif, who swam to the bank. The other four individuals were unable to escape the tragedy and drowned.
A team of officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), led by District Director Abdullah Salifu, successfully recovered the fourth body from the water.
The Golinga Dam is a vital irrigation site utilized by local farmers for their agricultural needs in the area.
In recent months, communities along river banks have been left in mourning as a disturbing surge in river drowning incidents has taken centre stage.
According to WHO, globally, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death. It is responsible for about 7% of all death due to injuries.
Annually, about 240,000 people die due to drowning.
In 2018 alone, drowning deaths in Ghana reached 1,206 or 0.60% of total deaths.
Researchers from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) revealed that a total of 1,449 drowning cases were recorded in the last three years.
The growing number of deaths related to river drowning is not merely a statistical figure; it is a haunting tale of shattered families, grieving communities, and the persistent question of what more can be done to prevent such tragedies.