The Ministry of Education has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic death of seven students from Lawra Senior High School who drowned during a canoe accident on the Black Volta River on Saturday morning, June 14, 2025.
In an official statement issued by Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, on behalf of the sector Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, the Ministry conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and the entire school community.
According to the statement, ten students from the school’s cadet corps were reportedly on a routine morning jogging exercise when they attempted to cross the Black Volta River near Dikpe into neighboring Burkina Faso. Tragically, the canoe they boarded capsized mid-journey.
Upper West Regional authorities and the Member of Parliament for Lawra confirmed that three of the students were rescued, while seven, five girls and two boys drowned.
Recovery efforts by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Education Service led to the retrieval of all seven bodies.
In response to the tragedy, the Minister of Education has directed the Director General of the Ghana Education Service to urgently convene a meeting with the Regional and District Directors of Education, as well as the Headmaster of Lawra SHS, to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and to report back promptly.
The Ministry also assured the public of its continued commitment to student safety and awaits a full report from the Ghana Police Service to guide any further actions.
