10 Final-Year Lawra SHS students drown in Dikpe River, 5 feared dead

Ten final-year students of Lawra Senior High School in the Upper West Region have drowned in the Dikpe River following a tragic canoe accident on Saturday morning, June 14, 2025.

The victims, all members of the school’s cadet corps, were on their routine weekend jogging exercise, which led them to the banks of the Dikpe River. While there, they encountered a canoe operator who had transported goods from the Burkina Faso side of the river to the Ghana side and was returning.

According to reports, the students reportedly boarded the canoe for a ride across the river. However, while on the water, strong tidal waves destabilized the canoe, causing panic among the occupants. In an attempt to flee the dangerous situation, some of the students jumped into the river. Tragically, all ten ended up in the water.

So far, five students are feared dead, while three others managed to swim to safety. A search operation is currently underway to locate the remaining two students who are still missing.

The Regional Director of Education, the Lawra Municipal Police Commander, the Chief of Dikpe, and other key stakeholders have since visited the scene to support and monitor the ongoing rescue efforts.

As of now, the Ghana Police Service, the school’s authorities, and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.