Boat Tragedy at Krachi West: MP Helen Ntoso Demands Stricter Waterway Safety Enforcement

Boat Tragedy at Krachi West: MP Helen Ntoso Demands Stricter Waterway Safety Enforcement

The Member of Parliament for Krachi West Constituency, Hon. Helen Adjoa Ntoso, has raised serious concerns in Parliament following a tragic boat accident that claimed several lives in her constituency.

Addressing the House, Hon. Ntoso revealed that the ill-fated boat, carrying more than twenty passengers, was travelling from Okuman to Damomen for a funeral when it capsized. Preliminary reports indicate that overloading and inadequate safety measures may have contributed to the disaster.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, the MP said the tragedy has thrown families and the entire Krachi West community into deep mourning. She extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected by the loss.

According to her, the only reported survivors were a young woman and her baby. Tragically, the woman—who comes from a family of nine—lost both her parents and siblings in the accident.

The Ghana Maritime Authority has launched investigations into the incident to determine the exact cause. Government has also stepped in to support affected families, including assistance towards funeral arrangements.

In a show of solidarity, the Vice President, Her Excellency Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, expressed her condolences and donated life jackets to enhance safety in the area. Additionally, the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, donated 200 life jackets to support ongoing safety efforts.

Hon. Ntoso commended the Oti Regional Minister, the Director-General of NADMO, the Minister for Transport, officials of the Ghana Maritime Authority, and the security agencies for their swift response to the incident.

She stressed that the tragedy underscores the urgent need for strict enforcement of safety regulations on Ghana’s waterways. The MP called for tougher measures to prevent boat overloading, ensure proper training and licensing of boat operators, and make the wearing of life jackets mandatory for all passengers.

Hon. Ntoso further appealed to government, corporate bodies, benevolent individuals, and non-governmental organisations to assist island communities and riverine settlements in Krachi West with additional life jackets.

She explained that water transport remains the primary—and in many cases the only—means of transportation for several communities in the constituency, as much of the area lies along the Volta Lake. Despite this heavy reliance, she noted that the supply of life jackets remains grossly inadequate.

The MP therefore called for urgent and sustained support to equip residents with essential safety gear, emphasizing that proactive measures are critical to preventing future tragedies on the country’s waterways.

Source:Bibianinews.com