In the quiet community of Faanaa, nestled within the Ga South Municipality, lies a heartbreaking reality veiled by serene landscapes and the gentle flow of the Densu River.
Here, amidst the tranquil surroundings, lies a community grappling with grief and fear, as its residents continue to face the harrowing journey across the river to access education.
It’s been a year since tragedy struck Faanaa, plunging the entire nation into mourning. In May 2023, a fateful day etched into the collective memory, a canoe carrying innocent school children capsized, claiming the lives of nine young souls. The loss reverberated through the community, leaving behind a void that time cannot heal.
A recent visit to Faanaa paints a stark picture of unfulfilled promises and lingering anguish. Despite assurances from the government, only a hollow echo remains of the pledges made to safeguard the lives of Faanaa’s children. While the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council pledged psychologists, compensation, life jackets, and crucially, a canoe with an outboard motor, the reality is far from the assurance.
At the burial ground, where the earth holds the weight of precious lives lost too soon, the pain is palpable. Each gravestone is a silent testament to promises unkept, to dreams shattered, and to futures stolen. The community, still reeling from the enormity of their loss, yearns for closure, for justice, for safety.
But safety remains elusive for Faanaa’s children. The lone canoe, a symbol of inadequate protection, drifts aimlessly without the promised outboard motor. Life jackets, meant to be a lifeline in turbulent waters, lie forgotten, abandoned by children who should never have to fear the journey to school.
Awetse, the weary canoe operator, echoes the frustration and desperation of his community. Despite the distribution of life jackets, he watches helplessly as children brave the river without protection. The tragedy has left scars not only on the landscape but also on the hearts and minds of Faanaa’s residents.
The aftermath of the disaster has cast a shadow over Faanaa’s educational institutions. Vision Redeemer Academy and SOS School, once bustling with eager learners, now stand eerily empty. The promise of education, once a beacon of hope, now feels like a distant memory as families grapple with trauma and loss.
Amongst the upheaval, a 15-year-old boy’s story emerges as a poignant reminder of the human cost of tragedy. Once a caretaker, ferrying his classmates across the river, he now finds himself displaced, his family forced to flee amidst accusations and victimization.
As Faanaa’s cries for justice echo across the tranquil waters of the Densu River, one plea rings clear: fulfill the promises made to safeguard the lives and futures of its children. Let not the sacrifices of nine innocent souls be in vain. Let not the river of tragedy continue to claim the dreams of Faanaa’s children. It’s time for action, for accountability, for a safer journey across the river of life.
By Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey