Man Drowns While Helping Travellers Cross Ghana-Togo River

A 20-year-old man, identified as Kombat Yaw Yiremiah, has drowned while helping travellers cross a river separating Ghana and Togo at Tambalug in the Tempane District of the Upper East Region.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2026, while Yiremiah was reportedly helping travellers cross the river.

As of the close of day on Monday, August 17, his body had not been found, with community members, relatives and personnel of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) continuing the search.

According to the family, Yiremiah and some of his colleagues regularly assisted travellers to cross the river between Ghana and Togo. The travellers included Togolese nationals as well as people arriving from Kumasi, Accra, Bolgatanga and Tamale.

The family said Yiremiah had gone about his usual activity on Sunday when the incident occurred. He was reportedly helping travellers navigate the river when he drowned.

The Tempane District Director of NADMO, George Alale Akuka, confirmed that his team was involved in efforts to locate and recover the young man’s body.

He said the search team had covered a considerable distance along the river but had not been able to find Yiremiah as of Monday afternoon.

Mr Akuka described the situation as serious and said the search would continue until the body was recovered.

“So myself and my team, we are still on the ground searching for him,” he added.

Mr Akuka also said traditional intervention had been added to the search efforts after members of the community consulted people who had previously helped locate victims in similar situations.

He said the traditional consultation had given the community hope that Yiremiah’s body could be found.

“They consulted the one who used to consult the gods before they see the victim, so they get the direction, and we are confident that in about a few hours from now, we will get him,” he said.

Despite the traditional intervention, Mr Akuka said NADMO personnel remained at the river and would continue their search and monitor the situation.

The family and residents of Tambalug have appealed to the Ghana Police Service and NADMO to provide the necessary support to recover Yiremiah’s body.

They said professional rescue personnel and the right equipment were needed to support the search, particularly because of the difficult conditions at the river.

The family is also calling for urgent assistance to ensure that the search is carried out safely and effectively.

The incident has shocked residents of Tambalug, especially because Yiremiah was reportedly helping other people cross the river when he lost his life.

His relatives and community members are anxiously waiting for the recovery of his body as the search continues.

Residents have appealed to the authorities to intensify efforts to locate the young man and bring closure to his family.

The incident has also raised concerns about the dangers faced by people who regularly assist travellers to cross the river, particularly in difficult conditions.