The Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimiah, has issued a passionate call for immediate safety interventions on the Volta Lake, following a recent boat capsizing incident in Krachi West that has reignited concerns over water transport safety.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the MP described the daily anxiety that grips residents of lakeside constituencies, who live in constant fear of receiving news of yet another drowning or boat disaster. She characterised these tragedies as a collective burden shared by all communities along the lake’s shoreline.
Hon. Ibrahimiah disclosed that she promptly contacted her constituency office and the Municipal Chief Executive to ascertain whether any residents of Salaga South were involved in the latest incident. The MCE subsequently confirmed with his Krachi West counterpart that no constituents from Salaga South were among the victims.
However, the MP stressed that the impact of such disasters extends far beyond the immediate location. Salaga South shares borders with Krachi West, and residents from both constituencies regularly live, work, and trade across these areas. Families and friendship networks straddle both sides of the lake, making every accident a multi-community tragedy.
Safety Vessels Urgently Needed
The MP took aim at the glaring absence of emergency response infrastructure along the Volta Lake. She noted that one can travel the entire stretch from Dambai to Kete Krachi without encountering a single safety vessel or any form of emergency assistance for waterway users.
Hon. Ibrahimiah urged the Ghana Maritime Authority to deploy dedicated rescue boats and safety vessels along the lake to provide immediate support during emergencies. She argued that such measures are no longer optional but an urgent necessity.
Development Deficit Exposed
Highlighting the critical dependence of lakeside communities on water transport, the MP painted a stark picture of daily life along the Volta Lake. Residents rely on often rickety boats to carry goods to market, ferry children to school, and transport pregnant women to health facilities in areas where clinics are absent.
“This is not merely about transport convenience,” she said. “It reflects deeper developmental gaps that require a national response. These communities deserve protection, safety, and basic infrastructure.”
Concerns Over Boat Conditions
The MP raised serious concerns about the poor condition and inadequate regulation of privately-owned vessels operating on the lake. She observed that many boats are dangerously overused, particularly during election periods when politicians depend heavily on them for campaign activities.
Hon. Ibrahimiah recounted troubling accounts of children aboard leaking boats being forced to scoop water with buckets while vessels remain in motion. She warned that a single moment of distraction could transform such scenarios into full-blown disasters.
Demand for Stronger Regulation
The Salaga South legislator called on authorities to enforce stricter safety and maintenance standards for all boats operating on the Volta Lake. She recommended a comprehensive review of the licensing process, mandatory safety inspections, and the implementation of robust operational protocols to safeguard passengers.
Gratitude and Solidarity
Concluding her address, Hon. Ibrahimiah expressed appreciation to the people of Krachi West for their support to victims during the recent tragedy. She noted that the financial burden of medical care, evacuations, and burial expenses frequently falls on Members of Parliament, underscoring the need for a more structured emergency response system.
She appealed for continued national solidarity with lakeside communities, reminding Ghanaians that residents along the Volta Lake cannot be left to face these perils alone.
