Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced that government will cover the full cost of burial for the sixteen victims who perished in the recent Okumah boat disaster at Kete Krachi in the Oti Region.
During a visit to the affected community, the Vice President met with bereaved families and residents, assuring them of the state’s immediate and long-term support.
“Government will bear the cost of burial of the victims, and we will provide rapid support for the survivors,” she stated.
She also presented more than 600 life jackets and other relief items to the people, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols by both boat operators and passengers to avert future tragedies.
“Family members, Assembly members, our children, what I want to begin by saying is that this tragedy affects every one of us because we have all been struck by it.
“We would have loved to hear good news all the time, but that is not always the case. So, when things go the other way, we should still give thanks to God. It may be difficult, but sometimes there is nothing we can do,” she said.
She underscored the importance of vigilance on Ghana’s waterways, stressing that many accidents could be avoided through simple but consistent safety practices.
“To those who work on the sea, please wear your life jackets. We plead with you, wear them always. And to our boat operators, we ask that before anyone boards, make sure they have their life jackets on. This simple act can prevent future tragedies,” she advised.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang clarified that her visit was not politically motivated but a show of solidarity with the affected community.
“It’s not every day that we go out to campaign; sometimes, we must visit our people, see their situation, and understand the issues they face. We came here to stand with you, to offer our support and condolences,” she noted.
The Vice President reaffirmed government’s commitment to enhancing safety measures across the country’s waterways, assuring that additional interventions would be implemented to protect lives and livelihoods.
Source: Adomonline
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