By Mavis Quansah
Azizanya-Ada, July 27, GNA — The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has engaged the residents of the Azizanya community in Ada to mark the National Drowning Prevention Day and educate the public on water safety precautions.
Dr Mrs Bertha Kusimi, the Director of the Geological and Radiological Department, NADMO, said the National Drowning Prevention Day was celebrated to create awareness on drowning cases and to educate people on water safety.
Dr Mrs Kusimi said a study done by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) indicated that 1,320 people from 52 districts died from drowning in Ghana between 2019 and 2021.
The research, she said, revealed that children below five years were at higher risk and young adults aged between 20 and 34, adding that most of these cases happened at river bodies more than the sea.
Dr Kusimi explained that the cases were high at river bodies as people who live around these water bodies engaged daily with the water, stating that “The river bodies serve as their source of water; that’s where they fetch water to bathe, cook, and do all their house chores; hence the result.”
She said poor judgement, alcohol and drug consumption, and the carrying capacity of the boat are the main causes of drowning.
She encouraged residents to teach their children how to swim to enable them to swim back to shore should their boat capsize.
She asked them not to overload their boats and to ensure they wear a life jacket for a safe journey.
In line with the theme: “Your Story Can Save a Life,” some residents who have been victims of drowning were called to share their story.
Mr Ahmed-Rufai Afarahim Aggudey, the Deputy Director of NADMO, presented life jackets to the community and urged them to learn from each other’s stories.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he said the National Drowning Prevention Day was an opportunity for NADMO to create awareness and also train people to become lifeguards, especially ahead of the Asafotufiami festival.
Mr Aggudey added that people would come from far and near to celebrate the festival; therefore, it was their responsibility to ensure that there were enough life jackets and lifeguards around to ensure the safety of the visitors and the residents.
He encouraged people to take charge of their lives by wearing a life jacket when swimming to prevent drowning during the festival.
Mr Denise Adjannor Nartey, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, said that they were preparing to deploy lifeguards to the community to ensure that those crossing or swimming in the river wear life jackets.
Mr Nartey added that they would be working with the Ghana Ambulance Service and other institutions to ensure the safety of visitors and the residents.
Nene Narh Nartey Azago III, Chief of Azizanya, expressed gratitude to NADMO for the insightful education, saying he would work with other chiefs to constantly remind residents of water safety precautions through town hall meetings.
He pleaded with institutions and individuals to support the community with life jackets as they prepared for the festival to ensure everyone who came to swim was safe.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Sawer/Christian Akorlie