The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has issued a strong warning against the overloading of boats following the circulation of a viral video showing a dangerously overcrowded vessel on the Volta Lake. The video depicted passengers packed onto a boat without life jackets, raising serious concerns about safety on Ghana’s inland waterways.
Describing the situation as “alarming,” the GMA stated that such practices undermine ongoing national efforts to protect lives. The Authority referenced past tragedies, including the Dikpe boat disaster, which claimed the lives of seven young people. In response to that incident, the GMA had launched a number of safety initiatives, such as distributing life jackets to residents in high-risk communities like Dimple, Brifo, and Bagir.
Over the past year, the GMA has implemented several measures aimed at enhancing safety on the Volta Lake. These include:
- Clearing over 20,000 tree stumps from major navigational routes to reduce collision risks.
- Conducting safety education campaigns in communities across the country.
- Enforcing loadline markings on boats to prevent overloading.
- Distributing life jackets in towns such as Buipe, Kwamikrom, and Mepe.
In addition, the Authority is increasing emergency response capabilities by deploying a rescue vessel to Kpando-Torkor, while bolstering search and rescue operations in collaboration with the Navy in Dambai and Yeji.
Despite these interventions, GMA Director-General Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali expressed disappointment at the continued disregard for safety measures.
“It is troubling to see such flagrant disregard for life after our extensive investments and campaigns,” Dr. Ali said. “Safety on our waterways is non-negotiable. Operators must enforce safety rules, and passengers must refuse to board unsafe boats.”
The GMA emphasized the importance of personal responsibility and collective vigilance to achieve the goal of zero preventable accidents on Ghana’s waters. The Authority also warned that enforcement actions will be taken against violators of safety regulations.
For the GMA, safeguarding lives on water remains a national priority that requires the full cooperation of both operators and passengers.
Source: The Ghana Report.
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