A family in Nkawkaw has accused the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly of negligence after a four-year-old boy drowned in an uncovered culvert behind their home.
The child’s mother, Yaa Boakye, said her son was playing with a friend near the drain when he slipped and fell into the open culvert.
Speaking to Crime Check, Madam Boakye said the family later confronted officials of the Assembly over the incident, insisting the child’s death could have been prevented if the drain had been properly covered.
According to her, officials promised to support the family during the funeral arrangements but later presented them with GH₵ 500.
She claimed the Assembly justified the amount by saying it was struggling financially.
“They told us that if they had money, they would not be collecting GH₵ 4 from motorists,” she said.
The grieving mother also alleged that the Assembly moved quickly to cover the culvert after the incident, a move the family believes was intended to avoid blame.
The incident has sparked anger among residents, with some questioning why a public institution responsible for enforcing safety standards allowed the uncovered drain to remain in a residential area.
Residents say the tragedy emphsizes growing concerns over uncovered drains and poor safety measures in parts of Nkawkaw.
