Saboba (N/R), Nov. 17, GNA – The drowning of nine students of the St Charles Lwanga JHS in the Oti River at Saboba in the Northern Region has remained a topical issue in the area five days after the accident.
While many residents were going about their normal businesses, some could be seen under trees and sheds discussing the issue.
At the Uborja Base at Saboba, Mr Wumbei Kwabena Oldman a resident of the area told the Ghana News Agency that even though the accident was painful, it was a pure accident and it must be treated as such.
He said the discussion in town about the accident revealed that the families of the drowned students consulted oracles after the accident, and it was confirmed that the accident was bound to happen.
Mr Mabinkun Ntagnun, a resident who was also discussing the accident at the Ujorba Base, recounted that the Headmaster was a nice, cool, and kind man, who was loved by many residents including his students.
He appealed for his release and pardon saying, what happened was not his intention.
On Friday, November 12, between 1200hrs and 1300hrs GMT, nine students of the St. Charles Lwanga JHS drowned in the River Oti when they were crossing it from the Mwagbar bank to the Kpanjol bank, a distance of about 100 metres, in the Saboba District.
They were forms one and two students. One of the drowned students was a Togolese national.
They were part of the 31 students of the school, who earlier crossed the river to the Mwagbar village to harvest rice for the Headmaster of the school, Mr Emmanuel Chingya.
The deceased have already been buried.
Meanwhile, Mr Chingya was on Monday remanded into prison custody by a Magistrate Court in Tamale to reappear on November 29.
This was after he was arraigned and charged with manslaughter.
GNA