The Minority Caucus in Parliament has urged the government to take swift and decisive steps to rectify persistent safety deficiencies within Ghana’s inland water transport system, following a fatal boat accident on the Volta Lake.
The incident, which occurred near Kete Krachi on Saturday, October 11, 2025, resulted in the loss of at least 15 lives. In a statement, the Caucus extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families, describing the tragedy as a “devastating loss” that underscores the critical need for enhanced safety protocols across the nation’s waterways.
In a statement signed by Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei, Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Committee on Roads and Transportation, the Minority reminded the government of a USD 150 million facility secured from the Korean Exim Bank in 2020. They noted that the facility was meant to finance the modernisation of inland water transport infrastructure and the installation of floating pontoons under the Volta Lake Transport Limited project.
According to the statement, a comprehensive feasibility study carried out by Ghanaian engineering firm Vision Consult has already outlined the necessary infrastructure and provided detailed recommendations to transform the Volta Lake into a modern, safe, and efficient transport corridor. “The groundwork has already been laid. What remains is for the government to act swiftly and ensure that the funds are disbursed for immediate execution,” the statement read.
“Any further delay would represent a profound failure of the government’s duty to safeguard the two million Ghanaians who rely on the Volta Lake for their livelihoods.” The Minority Caucus also urged the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) to strengthen its regulatory oversight over inland water transport, particularly in the Volta Lake and Afram Plains areas.
It called for the strict registration of all vessels, enforcement of loading limits, and an end to the “pervasive practice of overloading,” which has been a major factor in previous accidents. “The Volta Lake is a critical national asset,” Mr. Osei emphasised. “We owe it to the memories of those we have lost—and to the millions who continue to depend on the lake daily—to ensure safety and accountability in our inland water transport system.”
The Caucus concluded its statement with a renewed call for national priority and urgency, warning that recurring tragedies on the Volta Lake must no longer be tolerated.
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Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah
