Pilot campaign in Kumasi raises water safety awareness among school children
An educational campaign at Weweso Primary School in Kumasi, located in Ghana’s Ashanti region, has successfully heightened awareness of water safety and drowning prevention among school children aged 5 to 14 years, as well as their teachers and caregivers.
Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, claiming approximately 236,000 lives each year. In Ghana, an estimated 1,360 drowning deaths occur annually, with children and young adults being the most vulnerable groups. Despite the severity of this issue, drowning remains a neglected public health concern in Ghana and many other countries.
This campaign, an initiative of the Emerging Leaders in Drowning Prevention Programme, was backed by training from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Its primary objectives were to raise awareness about the risks associated with drowning, promote safe water practices, and set the stage for future drowning prevention interventions.
The campaign had a significant impact, with participants demonstrating a marked improvement in understanding the specific dangers associated with various water bodies, identifying potential drowning locations, and recognizing risky behaviors that could lead to drowning incidents. Both children and teachers gained a better appreciation for the importance of active adult supervision, the necessity of wearing life jackets, acquiring swimming skills, and the use of the buddy system around water.
The initiative was particularly successful in addressing misconceptions, enhancing supervision of children, and encouraging responsible behavior around water bodies. A noticeable shift in mindset was observed among participants, who now better understand the role that risky behaviors play in causing drownings.
Given the success of this campaign, it is recommended that similar initiatives be replicated across different regions of Ghana to ensure wider coverage and long-term impact. Additional recommendations include involving parents, communities, and relevant stakeholders, forming partnerships to equip children with swimming skills, and incorporating drowning prevention education into the national school curriculum.
