A seven-year-old boy has tragically drowned in the Agyei River at Nurses Quarters, a suburb of Ngleshie Amanfro in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
The absence of a bridge over the river, which would facilitate safe crossing, has been identified as the primary cause of the boy’s drowning.
Eyewitnesses reported that the boy’s body was discovered in the river on Monday morning after an unsuccessful search on Sunday evening when he did not return home from an errand.
This tragedy is not isolated, as a similar incident occurred months ago, resulting in the drowning and death of an adult attempting to cross the same river.
Residents have repeatedly appealed to authorities from the Ga South and Awutu Senya East Municipal Assemblies to construct a bridge over the river, but these pleas have been ignored.
The lack of a bridge has made it perilous for residents, including children, to cross the river to access schools and other essential services.
A makeshift wooden bridge, constructed by residents, was washed away by the river, leaving the community vulnerable.
Community leaders are outraged by the neglect from authorities in this rapidly developing area, despite their repeated pleas for assistance.
They believe that constructing a bridge would have prevented this tragic loss of life and are urging authorities to take immediate action to address this long-standing issue.