The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed the tragic drowning of a six-year-old girl at Sonitra, a suburb of Kpetoe in the Volta Region, renewing calls for parents and guardians to closely supervise children around open water bodies.
According to the GNFS, the incident occurred on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at about 1:40pm, when the Kpetoe Command received a distress call that a child had fallen into a pond-like irrigation site at Sonitra.
The victim, identified as Sarah Ahiafor, was reportedly with other children who had gone to wash clothes near the water body when the incident occurred.
Fire Service personnel, led by ASTNO David Dzakah, were immediately deployed to the scene to carry out a search and rescue operation. After an intensive effort, the team retrieved the child from the water, but all attempts to revive her proved unsuccessful.
The body was subsequently handed over to the Police at the scene for preservation and further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Preliminary findings indicate that the girl drowned while playing and washing with other children at the irrigation pond, which is commonly used by residents in the area.
Following the incident, the GNFS appealed to parents and caregivers to take child safety seriously, particularly around open water sources. The Service cautioned against allowing children to visit ponds, irrigation sites and similar locations without adult supervision, noting that such environments pose serious risks.
The Ghana National Fire Service extended its condolences to the bereaved family and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.
The tragedy has heightened concerns about child safety around open water bodies, especially in farming communities where irrigation sites are easily accessible, with authorities urging communities to adopt preventive measures to avert similar incidents.
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