Volta Lake boat disaster, poor safety standards to blame

Abotoase, Sept 9,GNA-Logistical constraints and compromise of safety measures are largely responsible for the Tuesday boat disaster on the Volta Lake. This was the outcome of a fact-finding meeting by a delegation from th= e Volta Regional Coordinating Council, led by Colonel (RTD) Cyril Necku, Deputy Volta Regional Minister with stakeholders at Abotoase landing site i= n the Biakoye district.

The stakeholders are; the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Life guards, fisherfolk associations, boat owners and operators associations. Logistical lapses identified include the absence of manifest of travellers, inadequate life jackets for passengers and lack of life-boat fo= r rescue mission and monitoring purposes.

Mr Gabriel Anyigba, representative of Zoil Eco Brigade, told the delegation that the outfit could not frequently fuel its life-boat for patrol purposes. The 93Dear Kusi Allah" boat was sailing from Abotoase landing site enroute to C. K. Korpe, Kpedzi, Tato and Kaganya in the Sene district of th= e Brong Ahafo region. The boat capsized after hitting a dead stump in the Lake. The breakdown of occupants are; 36 males, 37 females and 20 children. The boat being operated by one Inusah, was carrying 20 bags of salt, cement bags, iron sheets, bamboo, wawa boards and cassava dough at the time of the disaster.

It is emerging that 37 people survived the Tuesday boat accident on th= e Volta Lake between Kete-Krachi in the Volta region and Kaganya in the Sene district of Brong Ahafo region.

A total of 40 bodies have been retrieved with 14 bodies still unaccounted for. Col Necku called for a legislation to create specific boats for passengers and goods and suggested that insurance companies consider insuring boats. Mr Henry Ametefee, Volta Regional Coordinator of Disaster Management Organisation, entreated GMA officials to enforce regulations without fear o= r favour. He called for the procurement of more life jackets and patrol boats to safeguard life and property.

Mr Issaka Peter Azumah, Executive Director of GMA, said government was committed to the improvement and safety of Lake Transport and superintendin= g over the construction of three ferries.

He added that processes are advanced to procure fibre glass boats for secured transportation.

Mr Azumah said it was unreasonable for boats to be obstructed by stump= s during this time of the year where the Lake has swelled up but suspected overloading as cause of the boat accident. He indicated insurance companies are unwilling to insure wooden boats since their premium are woefully low.