20-year-old man drowns while crossing Ghana-Togo border river in Tempane

A 20-year-old man has drowned while attempting to cross a river along the Ghana-Togo

A 20-year-old man has drowned while attempting to cross a river along the Ghana-Togo border in the Tempane District of the Upper East Region.

The deceased, identified as Yaw Kombat, was a resident of Tambalug in the district and a former student of Tempane Senior High School.

Kombat was reportedly among a group of young people who regularly assist travellers and other road users to cross the river between Ghana and Togo, particularly when heavy rains cause the water level to rise.

However, tragedy struck on Sunday when Kombat attempted to cross the swollen river and was swept away.

Efforts by residents and his colleagues to rescue him proved unsuccessful, leaving the community shocked and saddened by his death.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by residents and travellers who depend on the river crossing, particularly during the rainy season when rising water levels make the route increasingly dangerous.

Residents and local authorities are expected to intensify calls for safer alternatives to the crossing to prevent further loss of lives during periods of heavy rainfall.