Flood waters have claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl and her 4-year-old sister missing after their tricycle was swept away by floodwaters in Kintampo, Bono East Region, on Sunday.
The 6-year-old, identified as Ama Amponsah, was found dead on Monday morning, July 17, while the search for her younger sister, Gifty Amponsah, continues.
According to the Uncle of the deceased child, Mr. Amponsah, the girls were traveling in a tricycle when the vehicle was swept away by the floodwaters. He said Ama managed to hold on to a tree branch, but she lost her grip and was swept away.
Rescuers who attempted to save Ama were delayed, which resulted in her death. Her body was found on Monday morning, July 17, and has since been deposited in the morgue.
The grieving grandmother of Gifty said that since her granddaughter had still not been found, they had to perform some rituals so that they could retrieve her body. She expressed the hope that after the ceremony, her grandchild would be found.
Meanwhile, personnel of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) are on a search for Gifty. NADMO Director for the area, A. B. Mohammed, said they were working around the clock to ensure that the girl is found.
He said the search has not been easy because the area is busy and the river bank was still overflowing. Therefore, they had to exercise some restraint.
“Until the girl is found, we will not relax. There are areas that the [river] has deposited a lot of sand, so it’s even possible that, the sand will cover the body of the small girl, you know the girl is only four years old.
“So, the fire service is here, giving us all the necessary support,” he said.
He advised that all residents living close to the river bank tread cautiously to avoid a repetition of such occurrences. This is the sixth death caused by floods in the region in this quarter alone.
