Minority demands urgent action to improve safety on Volta Lake after deadly boat accident
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to take immediate and decisive steps to enhance safety on Ghana’s inland waterways following the tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi, which claimed 15 lives on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, on October 20, the Minority extended condolences to the bereaved families and expressed concern over the increasing frequency of fatal incidents on the lake.
“The recurring tragedies on the Volta Lake demand the government’s immediate and conclusive action to protect public safety,” the statement read.
The Caucus recalled that in 2020, the government secured a $150 million commitment from the Korean Exim Bank to modernise inland water transport infrastructure through the Volta Lake Transport Limited Project, which included the installation of new equipment and floating pontoons.
They noted that a feasibility study by local consultancy Vision Consult had already identified the necessary infrastructure and provided a detailed implementation roadmap, a solid technical foundation for the project.
The Minority therefore urged the Mahama administration to prioritise the disbursement of funds and immediate execution of the project, warning that continued delays could endanger the lives of the over two million Ghanaians who rely on the Volta Lake for daily transport and livelihood.
They also called on the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) to tighten enforcement of safety regulations on the Volta Lake and other waterways, including vessel registration and strict adherence to loading limits.
“The Volta Lake is a critical national asset, and we owe it to the memories of those we have lost, and to the millions who rely on it daily, to take urgent steps to ensure inland water transport safety,” the statement added.
