The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) is constructing a coordination office at the Torkor crossing point to improve the enforcement of load limits and compliance on passenger boats operating on the Volta Lake.
This initiative aims to make the lake a safer route for the thousands of traders and residents who rely on it daily and enhance safety on the Volta Lake.
Addressing the community, the GMA Director General Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, stated that the office will serve as a central coordination point for all maritime safety activities in the area, which is a vital transportation hub connecting numerous island communities.
Dr. Ali announced the Authority’s plan to provide life jackets at affordable prices for boat operators and community members, stressing that these essential items are crucial for saving lives.
He called for community collaboration, urging residents to partner with the GMA in ensuring safety. “The community are the only people who can ensure safety if they wish to,” he noted, highlighting the critical role of local ownership in maritime safety efforts.
The Director General also commended the Queen mother of the Torkor community for her proactive role in facilitating accommodation and office space for the newly deployed GMA personnel.
The Member of Parliament for Kpando, Mr. Sebastian Deh, welcomed the GMA’s initiative, emphasizing the community’s need for both economic growth and enhanced safety pointing out that Kpando Torkor is the oldest inland landing point in the Volta Region, and its long-standing fishing trade must be preserved, especially following the recent breakdown of the main ferry from Torkor to Agordeke.
Mr. Deh praised the deployment of the search and rescue boat, the ‘Martey Korley,’ to the community, which will aid rapid responses in the event of disasters. He pledged to establish robust information systems to continually educate the community on best safety practices.
The Chairman of the Boat Operators at Torkor, Mr. Gideon Kpordzi welcomed the decision to provide life jackets, noting that many boat operators currently lack adequate safety equipment, explaining that some boats carry around 20 passengers and have only two or three life jackets onboard.
He also raised concerns about the inadequate distribution of premix fuel, which often leads to shortages for passenger boats midway through their journeys and expressed hope that the GMA would advocate for a greater allocation of premix fuel to support local operators.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
