Residents of Lawoshime and neighbouring communities in the Keta Municipality are grappling with severe flooding that has not only disrupted basic education but also endangered lives and livelihoods. The situation has sparked urgent appeals for support from government and benevolent individuals.
Communities such as Mamime, Hagodzi, Senugbe, and Hatorgodo have become virtually inaccessible, with overflowing lakes cutting off residents from essential services. For schoolchildren and teachers at Lawoshime M/A Basic School, the daily journey to school now involves wading through chest-deep waters or attempting unsafe crossings without any form of protective gear.
According to Mr. Israel Mensah, Assembly Member for the area, the floodwaters have disrupted the education of over 220 pupils and six teachers, forcing authorities to suspend classes for Kindergarten and lower primary levels to prevent potential tragedies.
“This is not just about education anymore; it’s about survival,” Mr. Mensah told the Ghana News Agency. “Teachers and pupils cross these waters every day, risking their lives. Without Wellington boots, life jackets, or even a canoe, learning has become a daily gamble with death.”
Beyond the classroom, the impact of the floods is being felt across all aspects of community life. Pregnant women, the elderly, and patients in need of medical attention are also forced to navigate the flooded landscape, often under dangerous conditions due to the absence of a health center in the vicinity.
Residents have expressed deep frustration over the lack of attention from authorities, citing the compounded effects of inadequate road infrastructure, lack of electricity, and clean water. “We are not asking for luxury — just basic support to live and survive,” said one local elder from Hatorgodo.
Mr. Mensah appealed to the government, philanthropists, NGOs, and corporate bodies to intervene with emergency relief — including transportation equipment like boats and protective gear — and to help establish long-term infrastructure to improve resilience in these flood-prone communities.
“We must not wait for disaster to claim lives before action is taken,” he emphasized. “Access to education and healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and the children and residents of Lawoshime deserve that like any other Ghanaian.”
As rains continue and floodwaters rise, the plea from Lawoshime is clear: they need help — and they need it now.
