Kasoa: Six-year-old boy drowns in water tank

A tragic domestic accident has claimed the life of a six-year-old boy at Walantu, a rapidly developing community on the outskirts of Kasoa.

The deceased, identified as Godfred Aboagye, reportedly drowned after falling into an uncovered water storage tank located within a compound house where he lived with his family. The incident has been confirmed by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which described the situation as unfortunate and preventable.

According to officials from the Central Regional Fire Service, a distress call was received at about 5:03 p.m. on Monday, December 29, alerting emergency responders to the emergency. A rescue team was immediately dispatched and arrived at the scene within ten minutes. Despite the swift response, the child was retrieved from the tank lifeless.

Fire Service personnel concluded rescue operations at approximately 5:28 p.m., after which the body was handed over to the Ghana Police Service for preservation and further investigations in line with standard procedures.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Godfred had been playing in the compound when a ball he was using rolled into the open tank. In an attempt to retrieve it, the child reportedly entered the tank, lost his footing, and drowned due to the depth of the water.

Residents of Walantu who gathered at the scene expressed shock and grief, describing the incident as heartbreaking. Some community members also raised concerns about the growing number of uncovered water tanks in homes, particularly in compound houses where children frequently play without constant supervision.

The Ghana National Fire Service has since renewed its call on parents, landlords, and property owners to prioritise safety by ensuring that all water storage facilities—such as tanks, wells, and pits—are properly secured. The Service warned that uncovered water containers pose serious risks to children and vulnerable persons.

Fire officials further advised households to install tight-fitting covers, erect protective barriers around water storage facilities, and closely monitor children during playtime to prevent similar tragedies.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about household safety and child supervision in densely populated residential areas.