Residents and opinion leaders at Tetekope in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have renewed calls for stronger supervision of children around beaches and other open water bodies following the drowning of a 10-year-old schoolboy.
The deceased, identified as Ericsson Lumor, a pupil of Bishop Herman Basic School, reportedly drowned on Thursday, September 3, while swimming with friends at the Tetekope beach.
The incident has left the community in shock and prompted calls for parents and guardians to intensify efforts to prevent children from venturing into dangerous waters without adult supervision.
Mr Michael Abotsi Fiator, a Unit Committee member, told the Ghana News Agency that the boy and about five other children had gone swimming during their free time.
He said the children were reportedly unaware of the strength of the waves at the particular section of the shoreline.
“Information I have gathered indicated that the boys numbering about six were swimming in the sea, and in the course of swimming, the deceased was overpowered by the waves and pulled away from his colleagues, who raised an alarm for help,” he said.
Fisherfolk who were working along the beach and mending their nets reportedly responded to the distress call and entered the sea in an attempt to rescue the boy.
After several attempts, the boy was retrieved from the water and taken to the Keta Municipal Hospital, where health officials pronounced him dead on arrival.
His body has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation, autopsy and other necessary examinations.
The incident has triggered renewed concern among residents about the risks children face when swimming in the sea and lagoons, particularly in the absence of experienced adults.
Community members said children may underestimate the dangers posed by strong waves, currents and changing water conditions, making unsupervised swimming particularly risky.
They have therefore appealed to parents, guardians and teachers to educate children about water safety and ensure they are properly supervised whenever they are near beaches, lagoons or other open water bodies.
Residents and opinion leaders also urged children and young people to avoid swimming in the sea and lagoons without adequate supervision or knowledge of the prevailing conditions.
Ericsson, who was described by residents as respectful, hardworking and full of promise, was a Class Two pupil at Bishop Herman Basic School and was expected to resume academic activities for the next school term.
His death has deepened calls within the community for greater awareness and preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies involving children in the area.
