Government unveils major inland water safety drive with 250 guards

The government of Ghana, through the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), on Tuesday commissioned 250 safety guards to enforce regulations on commuting on inland water bodies in the country.

The event also saw the launch of the “Life Jacket for Safety and Livelihood Campaign”, aimed at promoting life jacket usage and enhancing safety awareness among lake transport operators and users, which included the commissioning of 20,000 life jackets.

The two initiatives form part of efforts to curb boat accidents on the Volta Lake and other inland water bodies in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, stated that the two initiatives form part of the government's reset agenda and are very dear to the heart of President John Dramani Mahama.

He said that President Mahama is very worried about the “needless” loss of life on inland waters and directed the commission and his ministry to reduce casualties to the barest minimum, which is what inspired the two initiatives.

It was indicated that the 250 safety guards commissioned were part of the first batch of guards who would be deployed on inland water bodies across the country to ensure safety.

He added that the recruits were selected from the communities in which they would be deployed as part of an effort to empower local communities in the country.

On the “Life Jacket for Safety and Livelihood Campaign”, the minister, who oversees the activities of the GMA, said that the campaign is aimed at ensuring that every person who commutes on inland water bodies wears a life jacket.

The initiative allows people living in inland communities to either own life jackets at subsidised prices or hire them at very low rates.

On his part, the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, urged community members, including boat operators, to collaborate with the safety guards and not see them as their enemies.

He said that the objective of the project is to save lives and improve safety standards on inland waterways and, therefore, boat operators must see the safety guards as partners rather than adversaries.

He also urged people who commute on inland water bodies to ensure that they wear life jackets during their journeys.

He asserted that persons who want to buy life jackets can obtain them for as low as GH¢200, while those who want to hire them can do so at a cost of GH¢2.

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