Members of Parliament are demanding urgent enforcement of safety regulations on the Volta Lake following a series of tragic boat accidents that have claimed several lives across lakeside communities.
Lake transportation, which serves as a vital link for many communities, is increasingly becoming a source of tragedy due to non-adherence to basic safety measures, including the failure to wear life jackets and the use of unregistered or unseaworthy boats.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Krachie West, Helen Adwoa Ntoso, expressed deep concern over recurring fatal incidents in her constituency and other parts of the country.
She called for the formalisation of lake transportation and strict enforcement of safety protocols, including the compulsory wearing of life jackets and the operation of certified, roadworthy boats.
She further urged the relevant authorities to prioritise the regulation and monitoring of boat and canoe operators to prevent further loss of life.
While commending the government for the support extended to victims’ families following recent disasters, Madam Ntoso stressed that relief interventions alone are not enough to address the problem.
Adding his voice, the Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Mathew Nyindam, called for decisive and proactive measures to tackle what he described as a growing national concern.
He noted that although relief items and social support for affected families are commendable, they cannot replace the lives lost, insisting that prevention must be prioritised.
Other lawmakers, including the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and the Member of Parliament for Buem, Kofi Adams, also underscored the need to protect residents who depend on the Volta Lake for transportation and their livelihoods.
They collectively called on regulatory agencies and district assemblies to intensify public education, enforce safety standards and ensure that operators who flout regulations face sanctions.
The renewed calls in Parliament come amid growing public concern over repeated boat accidents on the Volta Lake, with many urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent further tragedies.
