The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the tragic boat accident that occurred on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi, claiming fifteen lives, including eleven children aged between two and fourteen. The Association has called for a full-scale, independent investigation into the incident and demanded accountability from all agencies and individuals whose negligence may have contributed to the disaster.
The heartbreaking accident, which has plunged the nation into mourning, has once again brought to the forefront the persistent safety lapses on Ghana’s inland waterways. According to eyewitness reports, the boat was allegedly overloaded, a factor that may have led to the fatal incident.
In a statement issued on 13th October 2025, and signed by Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the IEAG, the Association extended its condolences to the bereaved families, the Kete Krachi community, and all those affected by what it described as a “deeply avoidable tragedy.”
“The psychological trauma and irreplaceable loss suffered by these families are beyond measure. No amount of compensation or consolation can make up for the lives lost in such an avoidable tragedy,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the swift response of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and its planned interventions, IEAG emphasized that only a transparent and independent investigation could bring justice to the victims and restore public trust in Ghana’s maritime safety systems.
The Association stressed that accountability should not end with the boat operators but should extend to public officials whose oversight failures might have played a role in the tragedy.
“Reports suggesting that the boat was grossly overloaded are alarming and raise serious questions about the level of oversight and enforcement by agencies mandated to ensure safety on Ghana’s inland waterways. Accountability must not end with the boat operators alone, but include officers of the Ghana Maritime Authority, local assemblies, and other state agencies whose negligence or inaction contributed to this tragedy,” it added.
A Growing Pattern of Preventable Tragedies
IEAG expressed grave concern over the increasing frequency of fatal incidents on the Volta Lake and other inland water bodies. The group cited similar tragedies in recent months and years, including the Ada boat accident in August 2025, which resulted in several deaths, and another in Dambai, where five people drowned under similar circumstances.
According to the Association, these recurring tragedies have now become a national safety crisis requiring urgent, coordinated, and pragmatic intervention from all relevant authorities.
“Over the past two years, Ghana has recorded multiple fatal incidents on the Volta Lake and the Ada estuary. This worrying trend must not be treated as isolated occurrences but as a clear indication of systemic regulatory failure,” the statement noted.
Impact on Trade, Livelihoods, and National Development
Beyond the loss of lives, IEAG warned that these accidents have dire consequences for the economy, particularly for communities whose livelihoods depend on lake transportation and fishing.
The Volta Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, serves as a key commercial and tourism corridor, linking several regions and facilitating the movement of goods and people. However, the Association warned that the continued erosion of public confidence in water transport threatens not only the safety of travelers but also trade, commerce, and tourism — critical pillars of Ghana’s economic growth.
“The continuous loss of lives, coupled with declining confidence in water transport, undermines economic activity and social stability in communities that depend on the lake. This is not just a safety issue; it is a development and governance issue that demands national attention,” the IEAG emphasized.
Call for Concrete Reforms
The Association called on the government, the GMA, and all relevant stakeholders to implement pragmatic and sustained safety reforms to bring sanity to the country’s inland water transport system.
Among the measures recommended were:
- Stricter enforcement of safety regulations on all commercial and passenger boats.
- Routine inspections to ensure compliance with loading limits and maintenance standards.
- Mandatory use of life jackets for all passengers and crew.
- Proper licensing and certification of boat operators.
- Severe sanctions for violators and negligent officials.
IEAG also pledged its support for national initiatives aimed at improving maritime safety and regulatory compliance, emphasizing that the protection of human lives must always take precedence over economic or operational convenience.
“The safety of every Ghanaian — whether by land or by water — must be treated as a matter of national priority. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana stands ready to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to enhance safety in the maritime sector,” the statement concluded.
As investigations continue, the tragedy on the Volta Lake serves as a painful reminder of Ghana’s recurring safety lapses on its waterways. For IEAG and many Ghanaians, it is time for the nation to move beyond mere rhetoric and take concrete steps to prevent such avoidable losses in the future.
May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
PRESS RELEASE
13TH OCTOBER, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IEAG MOURNS VOLTA LAKE TRAGEDY, DEMANDS FULL-SCALE INVESTIGATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has received with deep sorrow the tragic news of a boat accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi, which claimed the lives of fifteen (15) individuals, including eleven (11) children aged between two and fourteen years. The Association extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Kete Krachi community, and all who have been affected by this heartbreaking incident. The psychological trauma and irreplaceable loss suffered by these families are beyond measure. No amount of compensation or consolation can make up for the lives lost in such an avoidable tragedy.
While we commend the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) for its swift response and planned interventions, the IEAG demands a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances that led to this unfortunate disaster. Reports suggesting that the boat was grossly overloaded are alarming and raise serious questions about the level of oversight and enforcement by agencies mandated to ensure safety on Ghana’s inland waterways. We therefore call on the authorities to ensure that accountability does not end with the boat operators alone, but extends to any officers of the Ghana Maritime Authority, the local assemblies, and other state agencies whose negligence, inaction, or regulatory failure may have contributed to this tragedy.
The Association notes with great concern the increasing frequency of such preventable deaths on the Volta Lake and other inland water bodies. In August this year, several people reportedly lost their lives in a similar accident in Ada, while just a few months earlier, five people drowned at Dambai under comparable circumstances. Over the past two years, Ghana has recorded multiple fatal incidents on the Volta Lake and the Ada estuary, a worrying trend that has now become a national safety crisis demanding urgent attention.
Beyond the human cost, these recurrent tragedies have far-reaching implications for the economy and livelihoods of communities whose survival depends on lake transportation and fishing. The Volta Lake serves as a key commercial and tourism corridor, facilitating the movement of goods and people across several regions. The continuous loss of lives, coupled with the erosion of public confidence in water transport, threatens not only social stability but also trade, commerce, and tourism, sectors that are vital to the nation’s economic growth.
It is therefore time for pragmatic, coordinated, and sustained measures to be implemented by the state and relevant stakeholders to bring sanity to Ghana’s inland water transport system. These measures should include stricter safety regulations, routine inspections, mandatory use of life jackets, proper licensing of boat operators, and severe sanctions for violations.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana stands ready to support any national efforts aimed at improving safety and compliance within the maritime transport sector, as the safety of every Ghanaian, whether by land or water, must be treated as a matter of national priority.
May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace!
Samson Asaki Awingobit
Executive Secretary
Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG)
