The victims who are farmers, were using a boat to the other side of the river when it capsized.

Seven of the victims have since been rescued with the rest including the toddler still trapped in the river.

Rescue efforts are underway after traditional authorities there performed rituals to seek the assistance of their gods.

A 60-year old woman who was rescued is in a critical condition, and has since been rushed to the Nkawie Government Hospital.

More soon.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 12-month old baby, 12 others drown in River Offin appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Two supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper West Region are feared dead after a canoe they were in capsized on the black Volta river.

The two, Abdul Aziz, and another one yet to be identified, were among some party supporters who went to Jambusi in the Wa West district on Monday to witness the commissioning of the Wa water project by President Akufo-Addo.

An eyewitness, Jalil Nasir, who confirmed the incident to Citi News said the incident happened at about 11:00 am.

He said the two were among a group of people who went sight-seeing on the river ahead of the arrival of the president.

He added that local divers were able to rescue three persons leaving the two, who are natives of Jambusi and Tanina (all in the Wa West district).

“It was not only Aziz who entered the water. There were three others who were also in the canoe. We were all waiting for the President, but when he was not coming, we decided to come to the river to have some fun. The thing just happened like magic. We can’t just explain. We have been here since Monday but no one is able to find them. It is really frustrating. The community has done several sacrifices but to no avail.”

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), has deployed a team of rescuers to the scene to augment the efforts of a local team that has been searching for the two since Monday.

The Deputy director general of NADMO in charge of technical and reforms, Seji Saji, who is leading the team told Citi News that over 15 experts drawn from Accra and other parts of the region have mounted a 24-hour search for the victims.

“Our search and rescue team, supported by our emergency operation center have been here since Monday up to today. We have been collaborating with the locals who are familiar with the terrain… unfortunately we haven’t had any results yet.”

The Deputy Director is however optimistic that the two men will be found.

“We have the men, and because of the importance we attach to this, we are not leaving until the two are found.”

He admonished residents of Jambusi to strictly adhere to safety measures in order to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.

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By: Mahama Latif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post U/West: 2 NPP supporters feared dead after drowning appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The victims mostly market women and children from Jama, a farming community along the reservoir were on their way to a neighboring area known as Accra town for a market day transaction.

Reports say the outboard motor of the boat developed a mechanical fault.

An emergency boat they called on to assist them broke down on its way, leaving the passengers to their fate.

Although divers close to the water bank helped rescue some 25 passengers, 8 others could not be found.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of Bui Power Authority, Mrs. Cherie Lawson Adamu, who confirmed the incident to Citi News, said “early in the morning they received reports that two boats had capsized on the dam around our reservoir and immediately the Navy who have been deployed around the Bui area were dispatched to go on to the reservoir on a search mission to check and the information we have is that the boat was carrying market women towards the Jama area, the northern part of Bui for market day transactions when they developed a fault around Accra Town and a second boat sent to rescue and help them with their outboard motor but unfortunately both boats capsized.”

She said personnel from the Navy are on a search mission for the eight missing persons.

Lawson Adamu lamented that activities and operations of the illegal settlers on the catchment of the Authority was a source of worry necessitating the deployment of the Navy to patrol the boundaries.

She therefore appealed to residents to cooperate with her outfit to deliver efficient service to the benefit of Ghanaians.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 8 feared dead in Banda boat accident appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the said tape which went viral in the mass media, President Mahama “made” disparaging remarks about Ashantis, claiming they were ungrateful to his administration.

The Ministry of Information later announced that the said tape was doctored to discredit President Mahama.

The Criminal Investigations Department headquarters has since picked the matter up for investigations.

However, President of AFAG, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie in a Citi News interview described the investigations as needless.

He challenged the CID to be professional and neutral in handling such issues.

“We are not in a police state that the police will always be used to interfere into issues that affect the moral fabric of the society.”

He added, “I think this attempt by the police to interfere in this issue is absolutely needless.”

Dr. Afriyie described as cover up attempts by the Ministry of Information to justify that the President’s speech was doctored by releasing another tape meant to be the original.

By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post AFAG condemns CID investigations on Mahama tape appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.