The Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of nine pupils who lost their lives in a boat mishap while returning home from school. The unfortunate incident happened on Wednesday, 10th May 2023, at about 4:30 pm when twelve pupils, five from Services Awareness Academy and seven from Redeemer Academy, were returning from school on a boat to Faana in the Ga South Municipality.
The boat carrying the pupils was hit by tidal waves, and it capsized, leading to the tragic loss of nine young lives. The pupils were aged between two years and ten years, and they were all from private schools in Wiaboman in the Weija Gbawe Municipality.
In a related incident, a 29-year-old teacher, Mr. Sampson Adu, who taught at Chinekope M/A Primary school in the Krachi West Municipality, also lost his life in a boat mishap. Mr. Adu was traveling on the boat when it capsized, and he was laid to rest in his hometown in the Eastern Region.
The GES has expressed its shock and sorrow at the loss of the young lives and the teacher. The management of the GES is deeply saddened by the incident and has sent its condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, Head of the Public Relations Unit, the GES assured the families of its support in these trying moments.
The GES is also urging all stakeholders to take extra precautions when transporting pupils and students across water bodies. It is vital to ensure that boats used for transporting pupils are in good condition and manned by trained personnel. The safety of pupils and students must be a top priority, and every effort must be made to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
The GES is once again extending its condolences to the bereaved families and is praying for strength and comfort for them during this difficult time. We are all in this together, and we must work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
