A 21-year-old man has drowned in the Volta Lake after he reportedly jumped into the water when a cow being transported in the same canoe began struggling.

The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2026, along the Isaka Kura-Tonka-Yeji route in the Pru East District of the Bono East Region.

The canoe was carrying 6 people, including the operator, as well as a tricycle and the cow when the incident occurred.

The operator, identified as Promise, told Adom News that they were travelling from Isaka Kura towards Tonka and Yeji when the cow suddenly became restless and began struggling inside the canoe.

The situation reportedly caused panic among 2 passengers, who jumped into the lake.

One of them was identified as 21-year-old Mathias Kpodovia.

According to Promise, he immediately alerted members of the community, who formed a search team to locate the missing passenger.

After several hours of searching, the team recovered Mathias Kpodovia’s body from the lake.