The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending preventable deaths on Ghana’s inland waterways through the implementation of the “No Life Jacket, No Travel” policy and the deployment of Water Safety Guards across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Life Jacket for Safety and Livelihood Initiative and the commissioning of the first batch of 200 Water Safety Guards, the Minister described the programme as a decisive intervention aimed at restoring safety, accountability and discipline on Ghana’s rivers, lakes and other inland waterways.
“This is not merely a project rollout. It is a decisive statement of government intent to restore order, accountability and safety on our waterways,” Hon. Nikpe stated.
According to him, President John Dramani Mahama considers the initiative a key component of his administration’s efforts to protect lives, strengthen security and safeguard the livelihoods of citizens who depend on water transport for their daily activities.
The Minister noted that Ghana’s inland waterways serve as vital economic and social lifelines, connecting farming communities to markets, children to schools and families to healthcare facilities.
However, he expressed concern over the recurring loss of lives through boat accidents, many of which could have been prevented through strict adherence to safety measures.
Recalling some of the country’s recent water transport tragedies, Hon. Nikpe cited a fatal incident in Saboba that reportedly claimed the lives of dozens of students and another accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi.
“These are tragedies that should never happen again. We must do everything possible to stop the needless loss of lives on our waterways,” he said.
The Minister explained that the Ghana Maritime Authority, under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, has developed a comprehensive strategy to improve safety through enhanced enforcement, public education and increased access to life jackets.
As part of the initiative, 200 Water Safety Guards have been recruited, trained and deployed to enforce safety regulations and ensure that passengers comply with life jacket requirements before boarding boats.
“These safety guards are fully equipped and vested with the authority to enforce all standards required of travellers on our waterways,” he said.
Hon. Nikpe noted that the recruits were selected from communities along the waterways to promote local ownership and ensure effective enforcement based on their understanding of local conditions.
The Minister also outlined a three-pronged approach to making life jackets accessible to all waterway users. The first involves the sale of high-quality life jackets at subsidised prices, while the second provides a rental scheme that allows passengers to rent life jackets at minimal cost. The third combines both approaches to ensure universal access.
“The policy is simple: No Life Jacket, No Travel. We will ensure that this directive is enforced on all our inland waterways,” he stressed.
Drawing a comparison with road safety regulations, Hon. Nikpe said wearing a life jacket should become as routine as fastening a seatbelt in a vehicle or wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
“When you board a car, you wear a seatbelt. When you ride a motorbike, you wear a helmet. When you are in a boat, you wear a life jacket,” he stated.
The Minister commended the Ghana Maritime Authority for spearheading the initiative and praised the Ghana Navy for training the Water Safety Guards.
He also called on boat operators, traditional leaders, district assemblies and local communities to support the programme and cooperate fully with the safety personnel.
On behalf of President Mahama, Hon. Nikpe officially commissioned the Water Safety Guards and launched the Life Jacket for Safety and Livelihood Initiative, expressing confidence that the programme would significantly reduce fatalities on Ghana’s inland waterways.
“It is our hope that very soon Ghana will record a year without unnecessary deaths on our waterways. Together, we can make our rivers and lakes safer for everyone,” he said.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
