IGP apologises to family of 24-yr-old KNUST graduate who died in a hotel swimming pool for lack of sufficient Police engagement

The Inspector General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare has apologised to the family of Lois Abena Koranteng, the 24-year-old graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) who died in a hotel swimming pool in Takoradi.

Dr Dampare apologised for the lack of sufficient Police engagement.

A statement issued by the Police on Thursday, July 11 recounted that on 8th June 2024, the Ghana Police Service received a complaint to the effect that Lois Abena Korateng, a 24-year-old woman had been found unconscious in a swimming pool at a hotel at Takoradi in the Western Region and was taken to the hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

On the same day, Police commenced investigation into the incident. A Police team visited the scene and also visited the hospital and inspected the body but no marks of assault were found on her.

The body was later deposited at the morgue where an autopsy was conducted on 8th June 2024, in the presence of the deceased family by a pathologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital who gave the verbal cause of death as (i) ASPHYXIA (ii) SEVERE PULMONARY EDEMA and (iii) DROWNING IN A POOL.

“Meanwhile, following the dissatisfaction expressed by the deceased family in sections of the media regarding the extent of Police engagement with them on the matter, the Inspector-General of Police yesterday, 10th July 2024, reached out to the family via a telephone call and rendered an unqualified apology to them for the lack of sufficient Police engagement.

“He assured them that investigation into the incident is still ongoing and also informed them of the readiness of the Police to visit them at their convenience and update them on investigation done so far.

“Police will continue to work closely with the family as investigation into the incident continues,| the statement issued by the police said.