The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has strongly condemned a recent incident captured in a viral social media video showing market women being transported to the Anyanui market in the Volta Region aboard a fishing canoe designed solely for fishing activities.
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Unit, the Authority described the act as “reckless and a blatant disregard for maritime safety regulations,” adding that such practices pose severe risks to human life.
The GMA expressed particular concern over the incident, noting that it comes barely weeks after a tragic canoe accident in the Oti Region which resulted in the loss of 16 lives.
According to the Authority, efforts to strengthen safety measures on the country’s waterways have intensified, making the disregard seen in the video even more alarming.
“Fishing vessels are certified strictly for fishing activities,” the statement emphasized.
“They are not licensed for transporting passengers, and doing so constitutes a serious violation of maritime safety laws.”
Key Safety Regulations Reiterated
The Ghana Maritime Authority highlighted the following mandatory safety provisions:
Fishing boats and canoes must not be used for commercial passenger services under any circumstances.
The use of certified life jackets is compulsory for every person aboard any vessel on Ghana’s waters, regardless of travel distance or duration.
The Authority noted that the individuals in the viral footage appeared to have disregarded these directives completely, particularly the requirement for life jackets.
Call for Community Cooperation
The GMA urged residents in riverine and coastal communities, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and transport operators to cooperate with ongoing enforcement measures aimed at preventing further accidents.
“The protection of lives on our waters is a shared responsibility. We call on all stakeholders to comply with these safety measures to avert avoidable tragedies,” the statement concluded.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
