BOY, 15, DROWNS IN ANAYARE RIVER (MIRROR, PAGE 29)

From Benjamin Xornam Glover, Doba

A 15-year-old boy from Doba in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region drowned in the Anayare River last Sunday after he dived into the water while swimming with some friends.
Matthew Ayaane, a primary five pupil of Doba Primary School, was swimming at about 3 p.m. with his younger brother and another companion when he disappeared.
His brother, Christopher Ayaane, 12, told The Mirror that they left home in the morning of Sunday, August 30, 2009 for their parent’s farm near the river and after working for a while, decided to go for a swim in the rushing river, which tide had risen due to torrential rains experienced in the area the previous night.
Describing the method they use in swimming, Christopher said they stood on top of the bridge spanning the river and dived into the water after which they swam out.
According to the boy, it was after one of those jumps that his brother was swept away.
He said an alarm was raised and that led to the formation of a search team, including the boy’s father, Mr John Ayaane.
When this reporter arrived at the scene at about 3:30 p.m., the search team had not succeeded in retrieving the boy. About an hour later, the search party called off the search because of fading light.
Attempts to speak to the father of the boy proved futile as he was so distraught and confused to speak.
The body was retriwved last Tuesday in a bad state and was buried that same day.
A former assembly member for Doba Electoral Area, Mr Albert Agamu, expressed shock at the incident, which he said was the first in the area.