Three hundred life jackets landed at the Dambai Ferry Station this week, handed over by the Ghana Maritime Authority to boat operators and fishers on the Oti River. The move aims to cut down fatalities and boost safety compliance among inland waterway users.
The donation split evenly between three groups: the Boat Owners and Operators Association-Dambai, A1 Boats, and the Inland Canoe Fishers Association. Each received 100 life jackets. The event took place as part of the GMA’s Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihood Initiative, which lets operators buy life jackets at subsidised prices and pay in monthly instalments.
Captain Kodjo Adjarko Osei, Deputy Director of the Technical Services Division and Head of Inland Waterways at the GMA, said the cost of life jackets had long been a barrier for many operators. He linked this to widespread non-compliance with water safety rules on inland waterways.
“The Authority is addressing the challenge by improving access to affordable life jackets,” Captain Osei said. “Their use is critical to preventing avoidable deaths during water transport accidents.”
The initiative also supports enforcement of the “No Life Jacket, No Sailing” directive introduced earlier in the year under the GMA’s Safety Guards Programme. Captain Osei said making life jackets easier to obtain should ensure boat operators and fishers comply with safety regulations before setting off.
Mr Safo Nketiah, Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, spoke for the local community. He noted that nearly 40 per cent of Dambai’s residents depend on lake-related activities for their livelihoods. “The provision and use of life jackets is crucial to protecting lives and sustaining economic activities in the area,” he said.
Mr Nketiah urged the GMA to continue such initiatives to raise awareness and encourage compliance among boat operators and fishers.
Beneficiaries welcomed the donation, calling it a significant step toward safer travel on the Oti River. They promised to use the life jackets as intended and follow established safety rules to protect themselves and others.
The Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihood Initiative addresses the financial hurdle that has kept many from acquiring life jackets. It taps into the practical reality of inland water transport, where operators often struggle to afford safety gear upfront.
The Oti River is a lifeline for many communities in the Krachi East area. The GMA’s move comes after years of water accidents that have claimed lives due to poor safety compliance.
The “No Life Jacket, No Sailing” rule was introduced amid growing concern over fatalities on inland waterways. The GMA’s Safety Guards Programme launched earlier this year to enforce safety measures more strictly.
Captain Osei said the Authority would continue efforts to make life jackets both accessible and affordable. The goal is to encourage usage as a first step toward safer inland water transport operations.
Boat operators and fishers who received life jackets pledged to wear them and promote their use among peers. Their agreement to the terms of the initiative reflects shifting attitudes toward water safety in the region.
The GMA’s intervention tackles a specific, longstanding problem: the cost barrier that has kept many inland waterway users without life jackets. This latest donation could change safety habits for the thousands who depend on the Oti River for transport and livelihood.
According to Joy Online.
