The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has expressed sorrow following the tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi, which claimed fifteen lives, including eleven children aged between two and fourteen years.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 13, the Association extended its condolences to the bereaved families and the affected community, describing the incident as “an avoidable tragedy” that has caused immeasurable grief.

While commending the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) for its swift response, the IEAG called for a full-scale, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.

It said reports of overloading raised serious questions about the effectiveness of oversight by regulatory agencies tasked with ensuring safety on Ghana’s inland waterways.

The Association urged that accountability should not rest solely on the boat operators but also extend to officers of the GMA, local assemblies, and other state institutions whose negligence or regulatory failures may have contributed to the tragedy.

Citing the rising number of similar accidents in Ada and Dambai in recent months, the IEAG warned that Ghana is facing a growing national safety crisis on its inland water bodies.

It emphasised that these repeated disasters not only claim innocent lives but also undermine livelihoods, trade, and tourism activities along the Volta Lake — a vital commercial corridor.

The Association therefore called for urgent and pragmatic reforms, including stricter safety enforcement, routine inspections, compulsory use of life jackets, proper licensing of boat operators, and stringent sanctions for breaches of maritime regulations.

“The safety of every Ghanaian, whether by land or water, must be treated as a matter of national priority,” the statement concluded.