Environmental and Safety Measures on our Inland Waterways
Ghana has many lakes and rivers, which provide livelihood and transportation for communities across the country. Most of the boats in use are wooden artisanal boats, although some steel boats operate under the Volta Lake Transport Company. Various companies have received permits to build modern steel boats to phase out wooden artisanal boats, which are prone to accidents.
While Ghana has many rivers, the majority of the Authority’s work focuses on Volta Lake due to the impact its creation had on local communities. The creation of the Volta Lake in 1965 left communities along the basin heavily dependent on lake transportation for their social and economic activities – and over the years, accidents on the Lake have become frequent.
The Authority deploys officers at key landing sites along Volta Lake to monitor, survey, educate, and enforce safety regulations. We work in coordination with the Ghana Navy to ensure community engagement, and we are extending these activities to other major rivers and lakes.
The Authority aims to improve safety standards and prevent transportation accidents through the following measures.
Safety Code
The Authority developed a Lake Safety Code to inform and educate boat operators and users on safety guidelines. Weather forecasts are sent to district assemblies for use in boat sailing, made possible through an arrangement between the GMA and the Ghana Meteorological Agency.
Enforcement of Safety Measures
Safety on Volta Lake is enforced by the Ghana Maritime Authority in collaboration with naval detachments known as the Naval Task Force. The task force ensures adherence to safety measures and checks against practices such as overloading, sailing under the influence of alcohol, and sailing in bad weather.
There are six (6) Naval Detachments stationed along Volta Lake at Kpando Torkor, Yeji, Tapa Abotoase, Dambai, Kete-Krachie, and Akosombo.
Boat Inspections and Surveys
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) conducts regular surveys and inspections on transport boats operating on Volta Lake to ensure they are lake-worthy and carry the appropriate navigational safety devices, including lights, fire extinguishers, and life jackets.
Assignment of Load Line Mark
Boats are regularly surveyed and marked with maximum load lines to indicate passenger and cargo-carrying capacities and prevent overloading.
Boat Safety Education Program
Regular safety education programs are conducted at landing sites on Volta Lake. The program includes free distribution of leaflets on the Inland Waterway Safety Code, demonstrations of basic seamanship, and instruction on the use of navigational safety devices such as life jackets and fire extinguishers. Regular competency training courses are also organized for boat operators and outboard motor mechanics.
Removal of Tree Stumps
The removal of tree stumps and charting of Volta Lake remain a top priority for the Ghana Maritime Authority. To advance this objective, the Authority contracted Kete-Krachie Timber Recovery Limited to remove tree stumps from fairways on the Lake.
Casualty Investigation
Provisions of the Ghana Shipping Act, together with the Authority’s internal policies, guide the appointment of personnel for casualty investigations and the process by which they are conducted. Investigations are carried out within Ghana’s internal waters, ports, and coastline.
The Ghana Maritime Authority has developed the framework for establishing a Marine Accident Investigation Board with expertise to investigate accidents within the inland waterways and along Ghana’s coastline. The Board will be tasked with providing recommendations to prevent accidents or minimize their impact.