IEAG demands accountability over Volta Lake tragedy that claimed 15 lives

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi, which claimed the lives of fifteen people, including eleven children aged between two and fourteen years.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 13, 2025, signed by Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the IEAG, described the incident as “heartbreaking and avoidable,” extending its condolences to the bereaved families, the Kete Krachi community, and all those affected.

“The psychological trauma and irreplaceable loss suffered by these families are beyond measure. No amount of compensation or consolation can make up for the lives lost in such an avoidable tragedy,” the statement said.

While commending the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) for its swift response and planned interventions, the IEAG has called for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Reports suggesting that the boat was grossly overloaded, the Association noted, were deeply concerning and raised serious questions about oversight and enforcement by the agencies responsible for ensuring safety on Ghana’s inland waterways.

“Accountability must not end with the boat operators alone. It must extend to any officers of the Ghana Maritime Authority, the local assemblies, and other state agencies whose negligence, inaction, or regulatory failure may have contributed to this tragedy,” the statement stressed.

The Association expressed alarm over the increasing frequency of fatal boat accidents on the Volta Lake and other water bodies across the country. It cited recent tragedies in Ada and Dambai, where several people also lost their lives under similar circumstances.

“Over the past two years, Ghana has recorded multiple fatal incidents on the Volta Lake and the Ada estuary. This worrying trend has now become a national safety crisis demanding urgent attention.”

Beyond the human loss, the IEAG highlighted the economic and social consequences of these accidents, pointing out that the Volta Lake serves as a major commercial and tourism corridor linking several regions.

“The continuous loss of lives, coupled with the erosion of public confidence in water transport, threatens not only social stability but also trade, commerce, and tourism, sectors vital to the nation’s economic growth,” the statement said.

The IEAG urged the government and relevant authorities to adopt pragmatic and coordinated measures to restore safety and confidence in the country’s inland water transport system. These, it said, should include stricter safety regulations, routine inspections, mandatory use of life jackets, proper licensing of boat operators, and severe sanctions for violations.

“The safety of every Ghanaian, whether by land or water, must be treated as a matter of national priority,” the Association emphasized.