By Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako
Some Members of Parliament have raised serious concerns over what they describe as weak safety enforcement on the Volta Lake, warning that continued neglect could lead to more avoidable deat,
The concerns follow a tragic boat accident in October 2025, which claimed the lives of 16 passengers after a vessel capsized on the lake.
Contributing to a statement on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, February 11, the MPs called on the Ministry of Transport and the Volta Lake Transport Company to urgently strengthen safety standards across the country’s inland waterways.
The Member of Parliament for Krachi West, Helen Ntoso, described the incident as a painful wake-up call, stressing the urgent need for strict enforcement of safety regulations.
“Mr Speaker, this painful tragedy serves as yet another reminder of the urgent need to enforce strict safety standards on our waterways. We must ensure that boats are not overloaded, operators are properly trained and licensed, and that every passenger wears a life jacket before boarding,” she stated.
She appealed to the government, NGOs, corporate bodies and philanthropists to support island communities in Krachi West with life jackets, noting that existing supplies are grossly inadequate.
“Many of my constituents depend on the lake for daily transportation, trade, education and healthcare. Providing proper safety gear will save countless lives,” she added.
The MP for Kpandai, Mathew Nyindam, also demanded stronger oversight of private boat operators, who dominate transport services on the Volta Lake.
“The attention given to commuters on the Volta Lake is very poor. Government must take more interest, even though many boats are privately owned,” he noted.
He urged the Ministry of Transport and the Volta Lake Authority to support boat operators with life jackets, possibly free of charge, and to establish robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance.
“Most passengers do not wear life jackets, and in many cases, none are available. The ministry must come before this House and outline concrete measures to improve safety and monitoring,” he stressed.
The MPs agreed that beyond condolences, decisive policy action, regulation, and enforcement are urgently needed to prevent further loss of lives on the Volta Lake.
Source Monitoring Desk – News Volta
