GMA partners Upper West authorities to enforce ‘No Life Jacket, No Boarding’ policy

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has teamed up with local authorities, traditional leaders, security forces, and boat operators in the Upper West Region. They aim to improve safety on inland waterways and reduce fatal accidents along the Black Volta. This partnership is part of the GMA's Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods Initiative, which seeks to promote the strict "No Life Jacket, No Boarding" rule and bolster safety at river-crossing points.

The GMA's Director-General, Naval Captain (Rtd) Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, emphasized that safeguarding lives on Ghana's inland waterways has become a top priority for the Authority. Speaking at a forum in Wa, Dr Ali highlighted the devastating impact of boat disasters, citing the June 2025 incident at Dikpe in Lawra Municipality, where seven students lost their lives due to non-compliance with water safety regulations.

He stressed the importance of every life and pledged to tackle difficult problems like boat accidents, which accounted for eight deaths in three incidents in 2025 alone. To address the expense of safety equipment, the GMA is providing standard life jackets at a discounted price. Issah Kantagere Issahaku, the GMA's Deputy Director of Public Relations, noted that submerged tree stumps have been removed to improve navigation, and the number of Inland Water Safety Guards has been increased.

Lawra Municipal Police Commander ASP Abdulai Kadir called for stronger regulations, including clearer legislation and enforceable load-line standards, after discovering that the canoe in the Dikpe disaster was operated by an unlicensed teenager and was overloaded. Lawra Municipal NADMO Director Nyolee A. Ament stressed the need for ongoing public education alongside the distribution of life jackets and urged boat operators to enforce the "No Life Jacket, No Boarding" policy.

Local government authorities, including the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive and Wa West District Chief Executive, pledged their support for the GMA's initiative and emphasized the importance of stronger enforcement before the rainy season, when river levels are expected to rise.