Florence Akakpo calls for action to ensure safety of inland water travel following Accra boat capsize that claimed nine school children and teacher
Tragedy struck in Accra, the capital of Ghana, as nine school children and a teacher drowned after a boat capsized in an inland water travel. Florence Akakpo woke up to the sad news and expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased, while thanking God for the lives of the few who survived the ordeal. She questioned why children should die in their attempt to attain the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, and called for action to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
Florence recommended that there should be mandatory live jackets and dedicated priority boats for teachers, healthcare professionals, and school children at boarding points in these areas. She also suggested that local authorities, traditional leaders, and local government officials should mobilize resources for inland water travels in these areas. Teacher unions could provide safety materials to their staff, and schools should educate school children on safety, particularly with inland water travels. Florence believes that with collaborative efforts, a decent and safe environment for teaching and learning can be created to safeguard the lives of school children, teachers, and prospective inland commuters in respective communities.
The tragedy is a stark reminder of the need to ensure the safety of school children and all who use inland waterways. Florence’s recommendations provide a practical framework for stakeholders to address this menace. Quality education should be accessible to all, and it is the responsibility of all to ensure that it is attained in a safe environment.
Credit: Florence Akakpo
Date: 12-05-2023