The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has intensified efforts to improve safety on the country’s inland waterways with the commissioning of 200 Inland Water Safety and Regulatory Officers and the distribution of 20,000 life jackets under a nationwide safety initiative aimed at reducing preventable deaths and protecting livelihoods.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in Accra, Director-General of the GMA, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the intervention as more than just another government programme, calling it a “lifesaving movement” designed to safeguard communities that rely heavily on rivers and lakes for transportation, trade, education, and economic activities.
According to Dr. Ali, the initiative marks a significant shift from merely acknowledging recurring water transport accidents to implementing practical measures that will save lives and strengthen confidence in inland water transportation.
“We are not just launching a programme today; we are initiating a lifesaving movement aimed at sustaining livelihoods and protecting families and individuals who depend on our waterways,” he stated.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali and other dignitaries at the high table
Dr. Ali noted that for years, Ghana’s inland waterways have been associated with avoidable accidents that have claimed numerous lives, creating fear and uncertainty among communities that depend on water transport.
He stressed that the GMA, as the country’s maritime regulator, is determined to change that narrative by prioritizing safety as a key pillar of national development.
“True safety of our people is paramount, and when we ensure that safety, we contribute significantly to the overall development of the country,” he said.
The Director-General revealed that since assuming office, the Authority has embarked on an aggressive expansion programme to strengthen regulatory oversight across both inland and coastal areas.
He disclosed that the GMA has increased its operational presence by nearly 70 percent compared to what existed before the current administration took office.
As part of this expansion, new offices have been established in several strategic locations, including Akosombo, Kete Krachi, Paga, Saboba, Wa, Agona, Yeji, Nandom, and Shama.
Dr. Ali further announced plans to establish an Eastern Corridor operational network stretching from Ada to Ghana’s eastern border with Togo, supported by satellite offices along the route.
The expansion, he explained, forms part of a broader restructuring agenda aimed at ensuring that maritime safety regulations are effectively enforced in communities that depend on water transport.
A major component of the initiative is the “Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihood Programme,” which seeks to make life jackets readily available and affordable for water transport users across the country.
Dr. Ali said the Authority intends to make life jackets accessible through both ownership and rental schemes.
Under the ownership arrangement, individuals whose daily activities require crossing major water bodies such as the Volta Lake, White Volta, or Black Volta will be encouraged to purchase personal life jackets at subsidized rates.
For occasional travelers, a rental system will also be introduced, allowing passengers to hire life jackets for a small fee before embarking on a journey.
“We want every passenger to have access to a life jacket. No one should have an excuse that a life jacket was unavailable,” he emphasized.
The initiative aligns with the government’s newly introduced “No Life Jacket, No Travel” policy, which seeks to make life jacket use mandatory on all inland water transport routes.
Central to the programme is the deployment of the 200 newly trained Inland Water Safety and Regulatory Officers, who will serve as frontline safety ambassadors in communities along Ghana’s inland waterways.
Dr. Ali praised the officers for their commitment and discipline, noting that they had undergone rigorous training in physical fitness, safety drills, and regulatory enforcement.
Despite only a few weeks of intensive training, he said the officers had demonstrated remarkable dedication and readiness for the task ahead.
Their primary responsibility, he explained, will be to ensure that no boat departs from any landing site unless every passenger on board is wearing a life jacket.
“Their mission is clear: no boat should leave the shore without all passengers wearing life jackets,” Dr. Ali stated.
The GMA Chief Executive appealed to boat operators to view the newly deployed safety officers as partners rather than obstacles to their business operations.
He stressed that safer transportation systems would ultimately benefit operators by boosting public trust and encouraging greater patronage.
“A safe boat is a trusted business platform,” he said. “These officers are here to help us build confidence in water transport and protect lives.”
He also urged commuters and passengers to cooperate fully with the officers and comply with safety directives, particularly the mandatory wearing of life jackets.
Dr. Ali further called on traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, and community leaders to support the implementation of the programme.
He emphasized that ensuring safety on Ghana’s waterways requires a collective effort involving regulators, transport operators, passengers, and local communities.
The launch forms part of broader government efforts to improve safety standards on inland waterways following years of fatal boat accidents in several parts of the country.
With the deployment of the 200 safety officers and the distribution of 20,000 life jackets, authorities hope to significantly reduce water transport fatalities and create a culture of safety across Ghana’s riverine communities.
By 1960news.com
