The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has partnered with the Ghana Life Saving and Diving Association (GHALDA) to roll out a five-day training program for boat owners and operators in the Krachi East District of the Oti Region.
The initiative, which began on Monday in Dambai, aims to address the rising number of drowning incidents on Ghana’s inland waterways. Fifty participants are undergoing intensive sessions on navigation through river currents, emergency response protocols, and swimming assessments to ensure they are equipped to perform rescues during emergencies.
During the training, Capt. Clifford Kodjo Adjarko Osei, Deputy Director in charge of Inland Waterways at the GMA, emphasised the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies and boat operators.
He explained that such synergy was vital for ensuring compliance and reducing incidents within the lake transportation system. Capt. Osei also called for stronger partnerships to facilitate mutual learning on effective safety measures, urging operators to abandon obsolete technology.
“Relying on outdated equipment only heightens the risk of accidents on the waterways,” he cautioned.
The President of GHALDA, David Kwasi Afezame, explained that the training was a direct response to the worrying trend of water-related accidents caused by systemic safety gaps. He lamented that many boats suffer frequent mechanical failures due to faulty or underpowered motors, while operators struggle with limited access to high-quality fuel.
“Most concerning is the severe shortage of life jackets and the dangerous practice of overloading. Boats carrying 100 passengers are often powered by insufficient 40-horsepower engines,” he said.
The Chairman of the Boat Operators Association in Dambai, Clement Kwesi Cheke, described the training as timely and crucial for improving water safety. While commending the organisers, he appealed to the government to subsidise the cost of outboard motors for operators, noting that such assistance would enhance their ability to maintain safe operations across the region.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
