The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has confirmed that seven bodies have been recovered, with two persons still missing, following a boat disaster on the Volta Lake in the Savannah Region.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, when an unidentified boat capsized during a journey from Yeji to Congo, between Sikakope and Mataiko villages in the Gonja East District.
According to preliminary reports, the boat, which was carrying 14 passengers, encountered severe weather conditions and overturned at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Search and rescue operations conducted by local authorities and community members led to the rescue of five male passengers.
However, nine others were feared drowned. As of Thursday, April 9, seven bodies comprising two women and five children have been recovered.
A joint rescue team from the Ghana Navy and the Ghana Maritime Authority is continuing efforts to locate the remaining two missing persons, identified as a woman and a child.
The Authority has extended its condolences to the bereaved families.
“The GMA extends its deepest condolences to the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.”
Safety Concerns Raised
The GMA expressed grave concern over safety breaches observed in the incident, revealing that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets.
The Authority described this as a major contributing factor to the high number of casualties.
“The use of life jackets is a mandatory legal requirement for all waterborne travel,” the Authority stressed.
Call for Compliance and Investigation
The GMA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing maritime safety regulations and announced plans to intensify inspections across the country’s waterways.
Meanwhile, the Authority is collaborating with local officials to complete search operations and launch a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
