Kete krachi: The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the boat accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi.
According to Ghana News Agency, the IEAG, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic news of the boat accident, which claimed the lives of 15 individuals, including 11 children aged between two and 14 years. The association extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Kete Krachi community, and all affected by the incident, highlighting the psychological trauma and irreplaceable loss suffered by these families.
The association commended the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) for its swift response and planned interventions but insisted on a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation. The IEAG emphasized the need for accountability, not just for the boat operators but for officers of the Ghana Maritime Authority, local assemblies, and other state agencies whose negligence or regulatory failure may have contributed to the tragedy.
Reports indicating that the boat was overloaded raised serious concerns about the oversight and enforcement by agencies tasked with ensuring safety on Ghana's inland waterways. The IEAG highlighted the increasing frequency of preventable deaths on the Volta Lake and other inland water bodies, recalling similar accidents in Ada and Dambai earlier this year.
The association noted that these repeated tragedies not only result in loss of lives but also impact the economy and the livelihoods of communities relying on lake transportation and fishing. Emphasizing the importance of the Volta Lake for trade and tourism, the IEAG warned that the loss of public confidence in water transport threatens social stability, trade, commerce, and tourism.
The IEAG called for pragmatic, coordinated, and sustained measures by the state and relevant stakeholders to improve safety on Ghana's inland water transport system. Such measures should include stricter safety regulations, routine inspections, mandatory use of life jackets, proper licensing of boat operators, and severe sanctions for violations.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana expressed its readiness to support any national efforts aimed at enhancing safety and compliance within the maritime transport sector, stressing that the safety of every Ghanaian, whether by land or water, must be a national priority.