We must address safety concerns on our waterways

A performance audit report by the Auditor-General has exposed alarming safety concerns and regulatory shortcomings in the country’s inland water transport sector. 

The report's findings which have been reported in today’s publication (pages 16 & 17), give a staggering number of accidents on waterways. Between 2019 and 2023, 23 watercraft accidents occurred, claiming 34 lives and causing significant damage to property.

The Volta Lake, the country's most prominent inland waterway, has become a hotspot for accidents, with fishing craft accounting for most of the incidents. The human cost is indeed devastating, as families have lost loved ones and communities have become traumatised by the preventable tragedies.

It is mindboggling that our country seems to have become synonymous with good but ineffective laws because we appear to be found wanting when it comes to the implementation of our laws.

Many argue that Ghana has some of the finest laws, even in some instances better laws than many of the countries that are making it big economically and socially.

At the heart of this water accident crisis lies the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) whose failure to effectively monitor and enforce safety protocols has exacerbated the challenge.

Despite spending GH¢94.77 million over four years to implement safety measures, the authority's inaction has allowed rogue operators to flout regulations with impunity. Fishing vessels designed solely for fishing are being used to transport passengers and goods, a situation that has sharply increased the risk of accidents.

The GMA's own safety practices have been compromised. Officials have turned a blind eye to overcrowding, which has allowed fishing craft to overload, with blatant disregard for safety guidelines, leading to catastrophic consequences, including the loss of lives of eight students in a single accident at Atikagome in January 2023.

The report also highlights systemic weaknesses in regulation and enforcement. Watercraft operators have taken advantage of the lack of effective monitoring mechanisms to disregard safety protocols with ease.

Relatedly, the Naval Task Force that has been tasked to support the GMA has focused primarily on passenger transport craft, leaving fishing vessels to operate unchecked.

These are the stark realities that confront the country and which must be dealt with head-on.

The Daily Graphic sees the response from GMA’s management as encouraging, but we must say that action must follow words.

We consider the draft Inland Water Regulation aimed at regulating activities and imposing sanctions for infractions as a step in the right direction. However, its approval by Parliament is crucial, and implementation must be swift and rigorous.

Again, the establishment of an anonymous reporting system for communities to report violations is also a positive move. Nevertheless, we do not think this measure alone will address the systemic issues plaguing the sector.

The robust enforcement, regular inspections, and stringent penalties for non-compliance are essential to deter rogue operators from carrying out their nefarious activities.

To this end, there is an urgent need for reform and strengthening of the oversight role in order to protect lives and properties on our waterways. We urge the GMA to prioritise effective monitoring and enforcement of safety protocols as well as improved vessel design and maintenance to prevent accidents.

Furthermore, regular and enhanced training programmes that focus on safety procedures and emergency response must be given to operators. Again, riverine communities especially must be educated on water safety, and the risks associated with non-compliance with safety measures.

While providing these recommendations, the Daily Graphic reiterates the need for swift approval of the Inland Water Regulation by Parliament to provide the necessary legal framework for effective regulation of water transport in the country.

The huge role played by Ghana's inland water transport sector in the economy cannot be overemphasised, as it provides livelihoods for millions. But this cannot come at the cost of human lives. The Auditor-General's report serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, regulators and stakeholders to prioritise safety on our waterways.

As the country mourns the lives lost and reflects on the findings of the report, we must recognise that change is within our grasp to prevent future tragedies and ensure that Ghana's waterways become safe zones.