Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa
The Akufo-Addo led government has adopted a strategy to reduce accidents on the Volta Lake.
The development of the Volta inland water transport will help boost the economy of the country.
The Volta Lake is notorious for boat accidents which have resulted in the loss of many lives over the years.
It is on record that at least 50 to 100 lives are lost annually on the lake.
A key finding of accidents on the lake is the poor management of transportation safety on the lake.
It is against this background that the government of Ghana and the Ministry of transport, through transport sector improvement projects (TSIP) has organized a stakeholders consultative dialogue for the assessment study for the development of the Volta Lake Inland Water Transport System in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
The dialogue was to solicit ideas from stakeholders and also showcase measures the government is putting in place to reduce accidents on the lake.
The Consultant of the Project, Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa at the forum explained that most accidents on the Volta lake have been attributed to the overloading of passengers and goods.
According to him, there would be a reduction when the development of the Volta Lake inland water transport system is completed, adding that the system would boost the economy of the country and also promote tourism.
The Director of Policy Planning, monitoring, and evaluation at the Ministry of Transport, Irene Messiba, also said currently interventions such as the removal of tree stumps are being removed to ensure safety.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong expressed gratitude to the transport ministry for the project.
He added that the system would help to save lives and properties.
He added that the project is crucial to the Region as activities of about five districts revolve around the Volta lake.
– BY Daniel Bampoe