The Ghana Education Service ya issued a statement after 7 Lawra SHS Students were found Dead after attempting to cross the Dikpe River in Lawra Municipality on 14th of June 2025.

The students went jogging from Lawra Senior High school which is about 5km far from the River.

Statement from Ghana Education Service

PRESS RELEASE

TRAGIC LOSS OF SEVEN STUDENTS OF LAWRA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

1. The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) expresses profound sadness over the tragic incident that occurred in the morning of Saturday, 14th June, 2025, involving students of Lawra Senior High School in the Upper West Region.
2. In an unfortunate turn of events, sixteen (16) second-year students of the school’s cadet corps embarked on a routine morning jogging activity to the banks of the Black Volta River near Dikpe. Upon reaching there, ten (10) of the students decided to board a canoe in an attempt to cross the river. Sadly, the boat capsized midway through the journey.
3. We regret to confirm that seven (7) of the students-five girls [Loise Kaati, Florence Kandera, Joyce Kuzare, Evelyn Batumatu and Munira Abul and two boys [Maxwell Dampuorideme and Alfred Foyi]- tragically lost their lives in the incident. Three (3) others were rescued alive. The bodies of all seven deceased students have been retrieved with the support of the security agencies and the local search team from the Lawra community, the Ghana Police Service and the school’s management.
4. One of the deceased students, who was a Muslim, has been buried in accordance with Islamic rites, while funeral rites for the others takes place Monday, June 16, 2025, in collaboration with their families.
5. The Ghana Education Service, in close collaboration with security agencies, is still investigating the tragic incident to prevent any such occurrence in the future. While at it, the surviving cadet members are currently on campus receiving psychological and emotional support.
6. The Management of GES is working closely with the Regional and District Directors of Education, the school’s administration, and all relevant stakeholders to support the affected families and ensure the welfare of all students.
7. We assure the general public, especially parents and guardians, that Lawra SHS remains a safe learning environment. The safety and well-being of our students is of utmost importance, and steps are being taken to strengthen safety protocols and prevent similar incidents in the future.
8. The Management of GES sincerely acknowledges and appreciates the tireless efforts of the security agencies, the Lawra SHS administration, all Headmasters in the region, Regional and District directors, the Regional Minister, the Lawra community, and the local search party whose timely interventions helped to search for, and retrieve, the bodies of our dear students. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, the Lawra SHS community, and all affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
9. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.

SIGNED

DANIEL FENYI

HEAD, PUBLIC RELATIONS

Source: Upper West Media App