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Interior Minister assures Parliament of measures to avert drowning at Lawra
The Minister of the Interior Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has assured Parliament that several measures have been put in place to avert future drowning of residents at Lawra Dikpe-Road in the Upper West Region.
According to the Minister, the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), through coordinated efforts with all relevant agencies, have put in place measures which include, regular sensitisation of canoe owners or operators and residents along the Black Volta Basin, sensitization of students and identifiable bodies on maritime safety, Ghana Maritime Authority providing life jackets to canoe operators along the river, the Ghana Maritime Authority to conduct regular monitoring of canoe operators to ensure safety on the river, ensure all canoes are regularly maintained and lastly provide psychosocial assistance to students of the Lawra Senior High School, especially to the three survivors.
The Minister gave this assurance when he appeared before the House to brief them on the drowning of seven students of Lawra Senior High School on 2nd July 2025.
Giving account on the unfortunate incident to Parliament, he told the House that on Saturday June 14, 2025 at around 09:13 hours, the Headmaster of Lawra Senior High School, Mr. Primus Bero, reported to the Lawra Police Command on telephone that the Lawra SHS School Cadet comprising sixteen (16) students led by the Cadet leader went on a jogging along the Lawra-Dikpe Road.
He said the Cadet leader later called to inform him (Headmaster) that on reaching the Dikpe river (Black Volta), ten (10) of the students in the process of crossing the river with a canoe being paddled by a young man they encountered to cross to the Burkina Faso side of the river capsized midstream leading to the drowning of seven students with only three surviving.
He indicated that the police team led by the District Commander immediately proceeded to the scene and joined the Dipke Community in organizing a search party under the leadership of the Chief of Dikpe.
He indicated that the search party managed to recover the bodies of the students and subsequently released them to their families for burial.
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Gov’t to build new public technical university in Western Region – Pres. Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his government will build a new public technical university in the Western Region to expand access to technical and vocational education for young people.
In a speech at the Jubilee House during a courtesy call by the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and other members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, President Mahama said the new university forms part of a broader plan to prepare the region’s youth for emerging job opportunities in mining, oil and gas, agribusiness, and digital industries.
He explained that the technical university will be designed to meet the practical needs of industries in the region and across the country.
According to him, this move is crucial to Ghana’s long-term development goals, especially as the Western Region continues to contribute significantly to the national economy through natural resources.
“The Western Region holds immense potential to lead Ghana into a new era of industrialization and job creation. But we must equip our young people with the right skills. That is why we are building a new public technical university here” the President intimated.
He added that this new institution will work alongside other youth-focused programs, including a region-wide employment initiative focused on agri-tech, tourism, green jobs, and digital entrepreneurship.
President Mahama revealed plans to upgrade the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital into a modern teaching hospital that will serve as a referral center for the Western and Western North regions.
This, he said, would improve healthcare delivery and provide training grounds for medical students.
He assured the chiefs that these initiatives would help bridge development gaps and ensure that the youth in the region have better access to education, training, and jobs.
The President urged the chiefs to support these efforts by promoting peace, unity, and development in their communities.
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Oil-producing communities in Western Region to benefit from sea defense and social projects – Prez Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has assured that coastal communities in the Western Region affected by oil and gas activities will see direct improvements in infrastructure, sea defense, and social services under his next development agenda.
The president made it clear that the discovery of petroleum in the region must be a blessing and not a burden.
He stated that towns like Essiama and Anochie, located in the oil-producing enclaves, would benefit from better roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, and agribusiness support as part of the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
He explained that the government is expanding sea defense projects along the coast to protect fishing communities from tidal wave erosion.
These efforts, he noted are also aimed at preserving marine livelihoods and supporting the coastal economy.
President Mahama revealed that the government will establish a dedicated oil and gas services hub at the Takoradi Port through a public-private partnership.
He said the expansion of the port would include new container terminals and dry bulk facilities to boost exports and reduce delays for vessels.
He added that the (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204) would be strengthened to ensure young people in the Western Region gain access to petroleum jobs, contracts, and technical training.
The president also announced that the Ministry of Energy had been directed to renegotiate land arrangements with landowners around the planned petroleum hub.
He said the government will release unused portions of land back to communities and pay compensation for land that will be used, starting with 5,000 hectares instead of the initially acquired 20,000 hectares.
He stressed that oil wealth must translate into better living conditions for the people whose lands and livelihoods are affected by exploration and production activities.
Jacob Aggrey
