A five-day training program for boat owners and operators is currently underway at Dambai, in the Krachi East District of the Oti Region. The initiative aims to address the rising number of drowning incidents on Ghana’s inland waterways.

This pilot program, organised by the Ghana Life Saving and Diving Association (GHALDA) in partnership with the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), has brought together 50 participants to master essential navigation skills for maneuvering through river currents, effective emergency response protocols, and personal swimming assessments.

A critical component of the training is the assessment of participants’ swimming capabilities, ensuring they are equipped to perform rescues during emergencies.

 

Opening Session

Speaking at the opening session, the President of GHALDA, David Kwasi Afezame, noted that the training is a direct response to a worrying trend of water-related accidents caused by systemic safety gaps.

He highlighted that many boats suffer from frequent mechanical failures due to faulty or underpowered motors, while operators struggle with limited access to high-quality fuel.

“Most concerning is the severe shortage of life jackets and the dangerous practice of overloading. Boats carrying 100 passengers are often powered by insufficient 40-horsepower engines,” Mr Afezame lamented.

 

Skill Development

The Technical Director and Deputy Director of Training at GHALDA, Patrick Hector emphasised the necessity of continuous skill development.

He stressed that regular, hands-on training sessions are vital for improving operators’ swimming and rescue proficiency.

“When operators commit to training like this, they significantly enhance their ability to respond effectively during emergencies,” Mr Hector noted.

 

Operator Perspectives

The Chairman of the Boat Operators Association in Dambai, Clement Kwesi Cheke, described the training as timely and crucial for improving water safety. While commending the organizers for the opportunity, he appealed to the government to subsidize the cost of outboard motors for operators, assistance he noted would significantly bolster their ability to maintain safe operations across the region.

 

Regulatory Oversight

The Deputy Director in charge of Inland Waterways at the GMA, Capt Clifford Kodjo Adjarko Osei, highlighted the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies and boat operators. He noted that such synergy is essential for ensuring compliance and reducing incidents within the lake transportation system.

He also for a stronger partnership to facilitate mutual learning on effective safety measures that address current operational challenges, and urged the operators to abandon obsolete technology, emphasizing that relying on outdated equipment only heightens the risk of accidents on the waterways.