The Ministry of Education has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of seven students from Lawra Senior High School, who died in a canoe accident on the morning of Saturday, June 15, 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, Deputy Minister,2 Dr. Clement Abas Apaak said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this heartbreaking incident. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased students and to the entire Lawra SHS community.”
According to initial reports, ten students from the school’s cadet corps were engaged in their regular morning jogging exercise when they attempted to cross the Black Volta River near Dikpe into neighboring Burkina Faso. Tragically, the canoe they were traveling in capsized midstream.
“We have received confirmation from the Upper West Regional Minister and the Member of Parliament for Lawra that three of the ten students were rescued,” Dr. Apaak noted.
“Regrettably, seven students—five girls and two boys—drowned. Their bodies have since been retrieved through the combined efforts of NADMO, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Education Service.”
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Director General of the Ghana Education Service to convene an emergency meeting involving the Regional and District Directors of Education, as well as the Headmaster of Lawra SHS. “The Minister has asked for a detailed briefing on the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and expects a full report without delay,” Dr. Apaak stated.
“We mourn with the families of these young students whose lives were cut short so tragically. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this unimaginably difficult time,” he added.
The Ministry emphasized its ongoing commitment to student safety, stating, “While we await a comprehensive report from the Ghana Police Service, we wish to assure the public that we are taking all necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.”
