Ghana’s Parliament has summoned the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, and the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, to appear before the House next week over the tragic drowning of seven students from Lawra Senior High School.
The students lost their lives on June 13, 2025, while crossing the Black Volta, raising national concerns over the absence of life jackets and safety protocols in river-dependent communities.
The Ministers are expected to address Parliament on immediate actions being taken and long-term solutions to ensure safer water transport, especially in areas along the Volta River.
The decision to summon the ministers followed a motion by Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor during a session on Tuesday, June 17. Second Deputy Speaker Andrew Asiamah Amoako endorsed the motion, emphasizing the urgent need for budgetary intervention.
“It is very critical. If we can look at the budget of the Interior Ministry so that a portion is allocated to address this emergency, it will go a long way to save lives,” the Speaker said.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Lawra, Bede Ziedeng, has appealed to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, and the Lawra Municipal Assembly to provide life jackets to communities along the Black Volta.
“I appeal to NADMO and all local authorities to support Lawra SHS and the affected families during this difficult time,” he stated. He also pledged to personally donate ten life jackets and called for swift legislative action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The incident has reignited national debate on safety standards in Ghana’s inland water transport system, especially for school children and residents who rely on river crossings daily.