A 49-year-old farmer, identified as Isaac Buckman, remains missing nearly 24 hours after a canoe carrying five farmers capsized on River Bobie Fum at Assin Dansame in the Assin North District of the Central Region.
The Assin North District Police Command, led by Superintendent Eric Yao Avudzivi, in collaboration with traditional leaders and residents of Assin Dansame and Assin Praso, launched a search operation on Thursday following the incident.
The accident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. when the five passengers, including a woman believed to be in her early 20s, were returning from their farms on a canoe commonly used by residents to cross the river.
According to the Assembly Member for the area, Mark Nti Ballack, crossing the river had become extremely dangerous due to the heavy rains.
He explained that three of the passengers were from Assin Praso, while the remaining two were from Assin Dansame.
Reports indicate that midway through the journey, one of the passengers, sensing danger, suddenly jumped into the river, causing the canoe to lose balance and capsize.
All occupants were thrown into the water. A rescue team made up of residents and police officers managed to save four of the passengers, while Isaac Buckman remains unaccounted for.
A search operation was suspended on Thursday evening due to poor visibility but resumed on Friday morning after initial efforts proved unsuccessful.
Some opinion leaders say the latest incident is the third canoe-related accident recorded on the river within a year, with three persons reportedly losing their lives in previous incidents.
Speaking to Citi News, they expressed concern over the continued use of canoes on the river, describing the situation as a daily danger facing both farmers and schoolchildren.
