The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to urgently implement measures to improve safety on the Volta Lake following a tragic boat accident near Kete Krachi on October 11, which claimed 15 lives.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Minority Caucus expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and described the recurring fatalities on the lake as “unacceptable,” demanding immediate and decisive government action to prevent further loss of life.
The Caucus recalled that in 2020, the government secured a $150 million facility from the Korean Exim Bank to finance the installation of modern inland water transport infrastructure and floating pontoons under the Volta Lake Transport Revamp Project.
The initiative was expected to modernise and secure inland water transport systems across the Volta Lake corridor.
According to the statement, a comprehensive feasibility study conducted by local consultancy firm Vision Consult has already outlined the necessary infrastructure and deployment strategies to make the Volta Lake a safe and efficient inland waterway.
The study, the Minority noted, underscores the technical competence of Ghanaian engineers and aligns with the vision for a nationwide multimodal transport system integrating road, rail, and water networks.
“We therefore demand that the current government treats this as a matter of national priority and urgently follow up to ensure these funds are disbursed for the immediate execution of this vital project,” the statement read.
“Any further delays would represent a profound failure of the government’s duty to safeguard about two million Ghanaians who rely on the Volta Lake for their daily lives,” it added.
The Minority also urged the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) to intensify its oversight of inland water transport operations on the Volta Lake and other navigable routes in the Afram Plains.
This includes the strict registration of vessels and pontoons and enforcement of loading regulations to curb overloading and ensure passenger safety.
Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, who signed the statement, emphasised that the Volta Lake remains a critical national asset whose safety must be protected in honour of those who have lost their lives and for the millions who depend on it daily for transport and trade.
“The time for rhetoric has long passed. Ghana must act now to make our inland waters safe,” the Minority intimated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliamentary Correspondent