Drowning Prevention Initiative

By Samuel Asamoah

Ghana is set to roll out a nationwide lifeguarding initiative aimed at reducing the alarming rate of drowning deaths, estimated at about 1,400 annually, in what authorities describe as a major public safety intervention.

The initiative, spearheaded by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partnership with the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and the National Coordination Board for Drowning Prevention, will be officially launched on April 14 in Accra.

The programme seeks to address drowning as a critical but often overlooked public health issue by combining prevention strategies, surveillance systems, and emergency response mechanisms. The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, is expected to lead the launch under the theme: “Drowning Prevention as a Public Safety and National Security Priority: The Critical Role of Lifeguarding.”

Health experts say drowning incidents occur across multiple settings, including beaches, inland water transport routes, and even domestic environments, with children and adolescents among the most affected. In the Greater Accra Region, the drowning rate is reported to be more than double the national average, with over 70 percent of beach-related deaths linked to swimming.

The new intervention will prioritize preventive measures such as deploying trained lifeguards, designating safer swimming zones, and engaging beachgoers to reduce risky behavior. Officials say this marks a shift from reactive rescue efforts to proactive safety enforcement.

The initiative follows a high-level stakeholder meeting held in 2025, which brought together agencies including the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Navy, National Disaster Management Organisation, and the National Ambulance Service to coordinate a unified response.

Pilot training programmes have already been conducted in selected high-risk coastal districts in the Greater Accra Region. These sessions, led by public health experts with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, focused on water rescue techniques, CPR, first aid, and risk assessment.

Local authorities in La Dade Kotopon, Korle Klottey, and Krowor municipalities are also playing a key role in implementing the programme at the community level, providing operational support and ensuring sustainability.

According to Professor Emmanuel Nakua, a lead researcher on the project, the initiative will focus on deploying professional lifeguards, strengthening coordinated rescue systems, enforcing water safety regulations, and expanding public education campaigns nationwide.

The campaign has also received backing from Ghanaian football icon Asamoah Gyan, who has urged the public to support efforts to prevent avoidable deaths.

Organisers say the initiative aligns with global drowning prevention efforts, particularly ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day marked annually on July 25, positioning Ghana to contribute to international targets on water safety.

The official launch will take place at the Labadi Beach Hotel, with opportunities for media engagement, including interviews with key stakeholders and trained lifeguards.

Authorities are calling on the media to play a central role in amplifying water safety awareness as the country intensifies efforts to curb preventable drowning deaths.