The Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention, launched in Geneva, revealed that drowning claims the lives of around 1,400 people annually in Ghana. This figure underscores a critical yet often overlooked public health issue that affects many communities across the country.

Kelly Larson, Head of Injury Prevention at Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlighted the urgent need to treat drowning as a key health concern. She noted that drowning takes over 300,000 lives each year globally, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Larson pointed out that Ghana's lack of detailed drowning data has made it difficult to fully assess the scope of the problem. However, she remains optimistic about the country’s efforts to reverse this trend, particularly through ongoing research and partnerships aimed at addressing the issue.

Bloomberg Philanthropies, alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), conducted pivotal research into drowning in Ghana. The findings revealed that drowning incidents are frequent in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, with children and young adults being particularly vulnerable.

The research has laid the groundwork for targeted interventions. Larson explained that Bloomberg Philanthropies is working with local and international partners to push for greater government investment in drowning prevention. These efforts focus on collecting data to identify high-risk areas and implementing strategies such as public education campaigns, swim training, and the deployment of lifeguards.

Ghana is set to benefit from successful drowning prevention programs already implemented in countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Uganda. In Accra, initiatives are underway to provide water safety education and swimming lessons at popular beaches, while studies are being conducted to assess the effectiveness of lifeguards in reducing drowning incidents.

Larson emphasized that while the efforts are still in their early stages, a combination of data-driven interventions and strong government commitment can help save lives.

The Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention provides governments with critical data and actionable recommendations for tackling drowning. In Ghana, this report will serve as a blueprint for creating a national strategy, with key recommendations including the establishment of community-based water safety programs, improved data collection systems, and heightened public awareness of water-related risks.