No fewer than nine junior high school students drowned on Friday after two canoes capsized on a river in the Northern Region of Ghana, the Police confirmed on Saturday.
The victims were learners at the Saint Charles Lwanga Junior High School (JHS) at Saboba in the Northern Region.
The Ghana Police Service confirmed their demise to Xinhua on Saturday.
Bernard Ananga, Northern Regional Crime Officer, said about 31 students were on the canoes.
The students had crossed to Oti River to a farm; two of the canoes capsized on their way back.
‘Rescuers managed to retrieve seven bodies, and a search is underway for another two that are still missing’, Ananga said.
The police have commenced an investigation and invited the school headmaster, Emmanuel Chinja, who allegedly owns the farm.
The police, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and Saboba residents are collaborating in the search and rescue operation.
Meanwhile, Nigerian federal lawmakers have raised the alarm that fake COVID-19 test results are being used to defraud Nigerians in Ghana.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara) raised the alarm in a motion co-sponsored by Senators Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara), Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers), and Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu).
While presenting the motion, Oloriegbe noted that there was a serious allegation that Nigerians who tested negative in the country were diagnosed with COVID in Ghana.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK