Six-Year-Old Boy Goes Missing after Heavy Rains in Dunkwa, Family Searches for Him: "Heartbreaking"

• A little boy has gone missing in Dunkwa after heavy rains hit the community on Saturday, May 17, 2025
• He was reportedly sent by his grandmother on an errand, but on his way, he slipped into the culvert
• Frantic efforts to find the little boy have proven futile, as no trace of him has been seen in the days since

A six-year-old boy, Sylvester Owusu, is feared to have drowned after being swept away by fast-moving floodwaters along the Anikoko River during a torrential downpour on Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2025.

The tragic incident occurred near Dunkwa-Aggrey Road, when the child reportedly attempted to cross a culvert swollen by hours of heavy rain.

According to family sources, Sylvester had been sent home by his grandmother from the Zongo Market to Oteng Crescent when he encountered the overflowing river.

Eyewitnesses said he slipped and fell into the culvert, which was overflowing dangerously following the downpour that began around 3:00 p.m. and continued until approximately 7:00 p.m.

Several parts of Dunkwa experienced significant flooding as a result of the storm. A coordinated search effort, launched at dawn on Sunday by residents and emergency volunteers, has yet to locate the boy’s body.

Searchers combed the banks of the Anikoko River throughout the day but were forced to suspend operations at nightfall due to poor visibility and rising water levels.

Family members, visibly distressed, remained at the scene throughout the search, clinging to hope as officials prepared to resume operations early Monday morning.

The post about Sylvester going missing is below:

Accra floods after heavy rainfall on Sunday

Dunkwa was not the only town affected by heavy rains.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the Greater Accra Region experienced its fair share of heavy rains over four hours or so, leaving many parts of the capital underwater.

Reactions to boy going missing amid floods

Netizens who saw the video of the young boy's relatives searching for him were saddened. Many in the comments section sympathised with the family.

@julz_wdk wrote:

"You expect to see am? What they’re doing in that town errr if an adult drowns in a river it won’t be easy to see am talk less of a 6 year old??"

@JefferyAnkamah wrote:

"Sad! Sad! Sad! A child’s life was lost because of poor drainage and a lack of proper safety structures. How many more innocent lives must we lose before authorities take flood control and urban planning seriously? Ghana shouldn’t be burying children after every heavy rain."

@supercars_gh wrote:

"Such a tragic situation, hoping for Sylvester’s safe return and sending strength to his family."

@RafinhaUmar wrote:

"Probably dead. So sad. Make dem just follow the water to its meeting points."

@PrettyDagbana wrote:

"I pray for him and his family."

@colorrblack wrote:

"We are always in churches and mosques fighting the devil, forgetting how stupid we have turned our environment into."

Kwadwo Sheldon’s estate floods in Sunday’s rainfall

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Kwadwo Sheldon was among those Ghanaians affected by the downpour and flooding on May 18.

On his X account, he shared videos of the estate in which he resides and called out managers and developers after his home flooded.

Many people empathised with Kwadwo Sheldon, while others shared stories of their houses also being affected by the heavy rainfall.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh