The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has announced plans to provide life jackets to commercial boat and canoe operators on the country’s inland waterways at reduced prices.
According to the Director-General of the GMA, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to make water travel safer on Volta Lake, where accidents continue to cause tragic losses.
Speaking during a working visit to Kpando Torkor in the Volta Region on November 4, 2025, Dr Kamal-Deen explained that the authority is working closely with local communities to protect lives and livelihoods.
“We have a partnership with the community to promote safety, and one of the steps we are taking is to make life jackets available at affordable costs so operators can purchase enough for the passengers they carry,” he said.
Dr Kamal-Deen was joined by GMA Board Members, led by Board Chair Jamilat Jawula Mahamah, during the visit. The delegation met with fisherfolk, boat operators, community leaders, and other stakeholders involved in fishing and water transport on the Volta Lake.
As part of the visit, the team inspected facilities and equipment that the authority has deployed to Kpando Torkor, including the search and rescue boat “Martey Korle”, stationed at the landing beach since September.
Dr Kamal-Deen said that having GMA officials present at various landing sites would help boat operators follow approved safety protocols and improve passenger protection across the inland waterways.
