C/R: Four children believed to have swum in sacred parts of the sea drown in Komenda

The Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kojo Antwi Tabi has confirmed the deaths of some four children who went swimming in the sea at British Komenda in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality.

 It is alleged that they swam to sacred portions of the sea at the blind side of their parents and community leaders during a big funeral in the town.

DCOP Kojo Tabi told the media that the children were aged 12, 13, 15 and 20.

According to him, at about 1100 hours on Saturday, October 2, the Assembly Member for the Amoto Electoral Area in Komenda, Mr. Joseph Williams, together with the former Assembly Member for Sesam Electoral Area, Mr. Isaac Jojo Ackon Donkor, reported the incident to the Police.

In all, it is alleged that a total of six children went swimming. The bodies of two were rescued and sent to the hospital where they were discharged. Two other bodies had washed ashore and the remaining two were still missing.

The two that have been identified are Enock Baffor, 13 and Gloria Mpanyin, 15. Their bodies have since been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue.

According to the Ghana News Agency, the Regional Commander has indicated that suggestions that the children may have entered the sacred part of the sea came from a joint patrol team of police officers and fishermen.

The Chief Fisherman of British Komenda, Kwodwo Mbea II has also expressed shock that the children swam to the sacred part of the sea, noting that it is a known site for sacrifices. According to him, he did not expect that the children will swim there.

Meanwhile, the Police has given assurance that it would intensify patrols at the beaches in order to prevent future incidences.