The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has confirmed a fatal boat disaster on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi, resulting in a devastating loss of lives.
The incident is said to have occurred on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at approximately 1:30 PM (13:30 hrs). A statement released by the GMA on Sunday, October 12, 2025, narrated that a small boat carrying passengers —reportedly returning from a funeral at Okuma to Bovime, both in the Krachi West District of the Oti Region, tragically capsized.
Preliminary reports indicate that the boat was “grossly overloaded” beyond its safe operational capacity. The disaster claimed 15 lives in total.
11 of the deceased were children between the ages of 2 and 14 years (five males and six females). The remaining four victims were adults — three women and one man—aged between 18 to 64 years.
Four other adults who were on board survived the accident.
The bodies of 12 of the deceased have been deposited at the Kete Krachi and Worawora government hospital mortuaries, while the remaining three children have since been laid to rest.
The Ghana Maritime Authority described the incident as “a critical and unacceptable breach of safety standards.”
GMA noted that it is committed to full transparency and decisive corrective action following the incident.
The Authority has since deployed a specialised investigative team, comprising maritime safety inspectors and personnel from the Navy Task Force in Dambai, to the scene.
The team’s mandate is to establish the precise cause of the accident, identify any violations of safety regulations, and ensure that all responsible parties are held fully accountable under the law.
Additionally, a High-Level Casualty Investigations Committee will be constituted immediately in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
GMA says the committee’s findings will inform urgent enforcement measures to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies on Ghana’s inland waterways.
Enhanced Enforcement Action
The GMA is launching an extensive and sustained lakeside safety enforcement operation to ensure that all boats — especially those operating at night — strictly comply with passenger limits, use of mandatory lifejackets, and operational permit requirements.
Boats found in flagrant breach of safety laws will be seized, and its operators will face prosecution.
The Ghana Maritime Authority further extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the Kete Krachi community, who are enduring an unimaginable loss.
“The sheer number of young lives cut short leaves an indelible pain on the heart of the nation,” the Authority noted.
The GMA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to improving and strictly enforcing safe water transport across all communities along the Volta Lake.
The Authority urged residents and community members not to board any boat that is visibly loaded or lacks lifejackets.
“We appeal to every citizen, community elder, and family member living along the lakeshore to act as vigilant custodians of safety— do not board any boat that is visibly overloaded or lacks lifejackets. Your vigilance and refusal could save lives, especially those of children,” the statement added.
The GMA remains resolute in unraveling the root causes of this disaster and implementing measures to ensure that no such tragedy ever occurs again on the Volta Lake.
Source: 3news
