A 28-year-old okada rider, Kofi Adisco, has drowned in the River Onwa at Assin Aworoso in the Assin South District of the Central Region during a swimming competition.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, after the deceased and 11 other commercial motorbike riders reportedly organised a group meal and later went to the riverside to swim.
Eyewitnesses said the group turned the outing into a swimming competition, but Kofi Adisco failed to resurface after diving into the river, sparking fears that he had drowned.
Attempts by his colleagues to rescue him were unsuccessful, prompting them to alert community elders.
Confirming the incident, the Assembly Member for the area, Akwasi Korankye, said he had earlier seen the riders moving in a convoy, honking as they headed toward the riverside.
He noted that about three hours later, he received reports that one of the riders had drowned.
A search party was subsequently organised after traditional leaders performed libation rites, but efforts to retrieve the body on the first day proved unsuccessful.
The search resumed the following day with support from the Ghana Police Service, leading to the recovery of the body.
According to him, the deceased sustained a head injury, raising suspicions that he may have hit a rock while diving.
The body has since been deposited at the St. Francis Xavier Hospital Morgue for preservation.
Korankye disclosed that the deceased, a father of one, was unmarried and hailed from Assin Adiembra but worked in Aworoso.
Police have launched investigations into the incident.
He also cautioned residents against swimming in the river, noting that it has overflowed its banks due to recent rains, making it unsafe.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Yaw Boagyan
