The use of the life jackets will become obligatory without compromise as of next year to ensure safety on the Volta Lake.

Consequently, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) is procuring many life jackets for use on vessels plying between the Kpando-Torkor Harbour and the Afram Plains.

There are about 150 vessels on the lake at Kpando Torkor, including fishing canoes; however, some of the boats have only two or three life jackets on board.

The Director-General of the GMA, Naval Captain Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali (rtd), said this when he led a team from the authority to inspect the yet-to-be-inaugurated new office at the harbour and a rescue boat, ‘A. Martey Korley,’ which was anchored on the lake in September this year.

Among the visiting team was the Board Chairman of GMA, Jemilat Jawala Mahamah. 

Safety

Naval Captain Ali said the Kpando-Torkor Harbour was definitely a national transport treasure with the potential to transform lives tremendously.

For that matter, he said, the GMA would stop at nothing to enforce safety precautions on the boats and canoes on the lake.

The Director-General of the GMA said the recent expedition of efforts to bring the rescue boat to the Kpando-Torkor Harbour bore ample testimony to President Mahama’s concern for safety on the lake and the importance he attached to the harbour.

He commended the people of the community for maintaining cordial ties with the GMA and entreated them to take part in the forthcoming education campaign on safety on the lake by the authority.

“Without your help, the harbour here will serve no purpose,” he explained.

Naval Captain Ali said the Reset Agenda and 24-Hour Economy initiative also meant caution on the lake could not be thrown to the wind.

“So, the use of life jackets by boat operators and passengers on the boats will no longer be an option,” he maintained.
                 

MP for Kpando

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpando, Sebastian Deh, said the prospect of the local fishing industry was very bright, adding that compliance with safety measures would lift it to greater heights.

“That means jobs will be created for the youth, businesses will flourish, and other development activities will follow suit,” he added.

During an interactive session, some boat owners appealed for the fixing of the road from the Kpando main town to Kpando-Torkor to boost activities at the market at the harbour.