Accra, April 15, – Ghana records an estimated 1,400 drowning-related deaths each year, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has disclosed, describing the figure as a major public safety concern.
He said the recurring incidents underscored the need to treat drowning prevention as a national security priority rather than isolated accidents.
Mr Terlabi made the remarks in Accra at the launch of the Lifeguarding Initiative for Drowning Prevention, themed: “Drowning Prevention as a Public Safety and National Security Priority: The Critical Role of Lifeguarding.”
He explained that many drowning cases are predictable and preventable, provided effective safety systems, early warning mechanisms, and coordinated institutional responses are in place.
According to him, government is reviewing relevant legal frameworks, including Act 537, to better integrate drowning prevention into the mandate of emergency response institutions such as the Ghana National Fire Service.
He stressed that strengthening lifeguard systems at high-risk beaches would form a key part of national prevention efforts, enabling early detection of dangers and faster emergency response.
Experts at the launch, including Professor Abdulgafoor Bachani of Johns Hopkins University, noted that drowning remains one of the most preventable causes of death, yet continues to claim lives due to weak safety systems.
He said the initiative focuses on building a Ghana-led, structured lifeguarding framework with trained personnel deployed to high-risk beaches, supported by national standards and coordinated emergency systems.
Prof Bachani disclosed that implementation began after extensive consultations in 2025, leading to the training and deployment of lifeguards at selected beaches where early rescue operations have already been recorded.
Professor Emmanuel Nakua of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology also warned that drowning risks extend beyond beaches to include household water sources and flood-prone communities.
Stakeholders from security agencies, local authorities, and academia pledged support for the initiative, calling for stronger public education, improved data systems, and better coordination in water safety management.
The National Coordinating Board for Drowning Prevention was inaugurated to oversee implementation of the programme and ensure sustained collaboration among relevant institutions.
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