Island Community Leaders Back GMA's Push for Strict Safety on Volta and Oti Lakes
According to the Paramount Chief of Chonke Traditional area, Daasebre Nana Kwame Bonja Atamafoweisi II, the situation requires the needed urgency to help minimise deaths, particularly among young people in the Island communities.
He made the remarks at a meeting held by the board and management of the Authority with traditional leaders, boat owners, and operators at Dambai on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The engagement was necessitated by the growing human cost of poor safety practices on the lake and the need for strict enforcement and compliance. It brought together operators and community leaders and other relevant stakeholders from Island communities and the municipal assembly, as well as the Member of Parliament for Krachi East.
Recent Accident
Daasebre Atamafowesie pointed out that, while the recent boat accident that claimed 16 lives saw an intervention by the government, a gesture the community appreciates, it still does not negate the fact that the victims of the disaster were dead and gone.
“While donations, including those from the Vice President recently in the wake of the Okuma disaster where 11 of the victims were children, are appreciated, we believe proactive enforcement of life jacket requirements, load lines, and loading capacity is paramount if the GMA is committed to seeing safer water transport along the country’s coast,” Daasebre Atamafowesie stressed.
The community, Daasebre said, would rally support for the Authority to ensure boat operators desist from using fishing vessels to carry passengers, a practice that has been cited as a major safety hazard on the lake.
GMA’s Commitment
The Chairperson of the Board of GMA, Madam Jemilat Jawula Mahamah, in her remarks affirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensure strict enforcement.She stressed that these enforcements, however, could be successful only if the traditional leaders and relevant stakeholders become integral partners in the processes to collectively work with boat operators and prevent such devastating incidents from recurring. 
The Director General of the GMA, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali (Naval Capt Rtd), for his part also said that when accidents happen on the lake, the impact is as great as a road accident, hence the GMA’s call for community ownership of safe waterways by all.
NADMO
The Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) revealed that nearly 20 people have tragically drowned on the lake between February and October, 2025, a situation he said requires the collective efforts of all to prevent future recurrence.
MP
The Member of Parliament for Krachi East, Nelson Kofi Djabab, raised critical concerns regarding safety and basic infrastructure. He appealed to the GMA, requesting the provision of speed boats for the Naval detachment in deployment in the area.
This support, he said is vital for strengthening patrols and effective enforcement of safety regulations. Mr Djabab also urged the GMA management to extend their presence by deploying officers to the Biakoye crossing, highlighting the necessity of oversight in this busy water route.
