A Search For Avocados Led To The Death Of A Child, And Four Were Hospitalised After Boat Capsizing.
Five children from Assin Ochiso in the Central Region set out on a canoe to cross the Ochi River to harvest avocados in Amoanda. The canoe, paddled by a nine-year-old boy, became unstable mid-journey due to the heavy load. Tragedy struck when the vessel capsized, leaving one child dead and four others hospitalized.
The deceased, 12-year-old Kojo Adu, displayed remarkable bravery, managing to help three of his companions, including the paddler, reach the riverbank before succumbing to the current. Kojo was pronounced dead at the Assin Ochiso health facility, while the survivors, aged six to nine, are receiving treatment. Community members acted swiftly to rescue the children, but the loss of Kojo has left a deep scar.
The Ochi River crossing is the only route between Assin Ochiso and Amoanda in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District, with no bridge available despite long-standing pleas from residents. Kojo’s parents, Ama Ninaa and Kwabena Asaane, have urged local authorities, including MPs Rev. John Ntim Fordjour and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to prioritize building a footbridge to prevent future tragedies.
This is a broader issue in rural parts of the country, where infrastructure gaps pose deadly risks. A 2023 WHO report notes that 70% of drowning deaths in low-income regions involve children, often due to unsafe crossings. The Assin Ochiso tragedy underscores the urgent need for safer travel options to protect vulnerable communities.
Source: GraphicOnline