Swedru: Apprentice missing after being washed into drain during heavy rain

A 23-year-old hairdressing apprentice, Hajia Hawa, has died after reportedly falling into a large drain near the Swedru Mandela Market in the Central Region during heavy rainfall on Friday, May 22, 2026.

Hawa, the youngest member of her family, was swept away by fast-flowing floodwaters and has not yet been found despite an intensive three-day search conducted by the Swedru Asafo Company.

Her elder sister, Hadiya Mustapha, told the Ghana News Agency that Hawa had been running an errand to purchase wigs from a supermarket close to the market when the incident occurred.

According to her, the situation was quickly reported to local opinion leaders, who mobilised a search team, but all efforts to locate her have so far been unsuccessful.

It is believed that Hawa may have been carried into the Akora River, which overflowed its banks following the heavy downpour.

Mrs Mustapha expressed appreciation to the search teams and community members for their support and solidarity throughout the search operation.