By Emmanuel Anyigba
THE MEMBER of Parliament for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimiah, has called for sweeping safety reforms on the Volta Lake following the recent boat capsizing incident at Krachi West.
Raising the matter on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahimiah said communities living along the lake endure constant anxiety, waking up each day hoping they will not receive distressing news of another drowning or boat accident. She described such tragedies as a shared burden for lakeside constituencies, where transport by water is not optional but essential.
According to the MP, she immediately contacted authorities in her constituency after hearing about the Krachi West incident to ascertain whether any residents of Salaga South were involved. The Municipal Chief Executive subsequently liaised with his counterpart in Krachi West and confirmed that no constituent from Salaga South was among the victims.
Despite that reassurance, Hon. Ibrahimiah stressed that the tragedy extends beyond one district. Salaga South shares close boundaries with Krachi West, and residents frequently live, trade, and travel across both constituencies. As a result, when accidents occur, the impact is felt across communities, as relatives, friends, and business associates could easily be among those affected.
She urged government to adopt a comprehensive approach to tackling recurring boat accidents on the lake. In particular, she called on the Ghana Maritime Authority to deploy dedicated safety and rescue boats along the Volta Lake to provide rapid emergency response.
She lamented that travellers can journey across long stretches of the lake—from Dambai to Kete Krachi—without encountering any visible emergency support services.
Highlighting the heavy dependence on water transport, the MP noted that many lakeside residents rely on boats to convey goods, ferry children to school, and access healthcare.
In communities without clinics, pregnant women in labour must cross the lake to seek medical attention, often under risky conditions.
She described the situation as a broader developmental challenge affecting lakeside communities and called for coordinated national intervention. Citizens, she said, should not have to board boats in fear; they deserve safe and reliable transportation.
Hon. Ibrahimiah also raised concerns over the poor condition and regulation of boats operating on the lake. Many vessels, she observed, are privately owned and inadequately maintained, with some subjected to heavy use, especially during election periods when politicians depend on them for campaign activities.
Recounting troubling scenes, she said children are sometimes seen scooping water from leaking boats mid-journey, warning that even a brief lapse in attention could result in water accumulation and capsizing.
The MP therefore called for stricter enforcement of safety standards, a review of the licensing regime for boat operators, and mandatory inspections before operating permits are issued. She concluded by expressing gratitude to residents of Krachi West who assisted victims during the tragedy. She noted that in many such incidents, the financial burden of medical treatment, evacuation, and burial costs often falls heavily on Members of Parliament.
Hon. Ibrahimiah appealed for solidarity and sustained support for lakeside communities, emphasizing that residents along the Volta Lake are Ghanaians who deserve protection, improved infrastructure, and meaningful development.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
