Boat Capsize At Krachi West Salaga South MP Calls For Urgent Safety Reforms On Volta Lake

The Member of Parliament for Salaga South Constituency, Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimiah, has also raised concerns in Parliament over the recent boat capsizing incident at Krachi West.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahimiah noted that residents living in constituencies along the Volta Lake wake up each day praying they will not receive a distressing phone call reporting a boat accident, drowning, or capsizing.

She described such incidents as a shared pain for all lakeside communities.

She revealed that upon hearing about the Krachi West tragedy, she immediately contacted her constituency and her Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) to confirm whether any residents from Salaga South were involved.

The MCE subsequently reached out to his counterpart in Krachi West, and she was reassured that no member of the Salaga South Constituency was among the victims.

Hon. Ibrahimiah emphasized that the incident goes beyond Krachi West alone.

She explained that Salaga South shares close borders with Krachi West, and residents from both constituencies often live and trade across the two areas.

Therefore, when such tragedies occur, they affect everyone, as relatives, friends, and associates could easily have been on board.

She called for a holistic approach to addressing the recurring boat accidents on the Volta Lake.

According to her, the Ghana Maritime Authority should begin deploying safety boats along the lake to provide immediate assistance whenever disasters occur.

She lamented that one can travel the entire stretch of the Volta Lake from Dambai to Kete Krachi without encountering any form of emergency support for lake users.

The MP further highlighted the heavy reliance on water transport by lakeside communities.

Many residents use boats to transport goods and children to school, especially in areas where schools are unavailable.

In some communities without clinics, pregnant women in labour must be ferried across the lake to access healthcare, exposing them to significant risks.

She stressed that this situation reflects a broader developmental gap in communities along the Volta Lake and called for a concerted national effort to bring relief to residents.

She said it should not be the case that people board boats with fear and apprehension; instead, they should feel confident and safe travelling to and from their destinations.

Hon. Ibrahimiah also raised concerns about the poor condition and regulation of boats operating on the lake.

She noted that many of the boats are privately owned and poorly maintained.

Some are heavily used, particularly during election periods when politicians rely on them for campaigns.

She recounted instances where children are seen scooping water from leaking boats with buckets and containers while in motion, warning that any moment of distraction could lead to water accumulating and causing the boat to sink.

The MP therefore called for stricter enforcement of quality standards for boats operating on the lake.

She urged authorities to review the licensing regime and introduce comprehensive safety protocols, including mandatory inspections before licenses are issued to boat operators.

Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimiah concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the people of Krachi West who assisted the victims during the tragedy.

She noted that in many cases, the burden of medical bills, evacuation of bodies, and burial costs falls heavily on Members of Parliament.

She prayed for continued support and solidarity for lakeside communities, emphasizing that residents along the Volta Lake are Ghanaians who deserve protection, safety, and development.

Story by Bismark Mensah@A/R.