Six-year-old girl drowns in irrigation pond at Kpetoe

A six-year-old girl has drowned in an irrigation pond at Sonitra, a suburb of Kpetoe in the Volta Region, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed.

The incident occurred on Sunday, February 1, 2026, when the child, identified as Sarah Ahiafor, reportedly went with other children to wash clothes at a pond-like water body used for irrigation.

In a statement issued by the Volta Regional Command of the GNFS on Monday, February 2, 2026, personnel from the Kpetoe Fire Station responded to a distress call received at about 1:40 p.m.

The rescue team, led by Assistant Station Officer (ASTNO) David Dzakah, was immediately deployed to the scene and carried out a search and rescue operation, during which the child’s body was retrieved from the water. Attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

The body was later handed over to the Ghana Police Service at the scene for preservation and further investigations.

Preliminary findings indicate that the incident occurred while the child was in the company of other minors who had gone to the site without adult supervision.

The GNFS has therefore cautioned parents and guardians to ensure that children are not left unsupervised around open water bodies, stressing that irrigation ponds and similar sites pose serious risks and should only be accessed under the supervision of responsible adults.

The Fire Service also extended its condolences to the bereaved family and reiterated its commitment to the protection of life and property.