GMA donates 300 life jackets to boat operators, fishers in Dambai

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) recently distributed 300 life jackets to boat operators and fishers in Dambai, a move aimed at enhancing safety compliance and reducing fatalities on the Oti River. The donation ceremony took place at the Dambai Ferry Station, and the life jackets were distributed evenly among three organizations: the Boat Owners and Operators Association-Dambai, A1 Boats, and the Inland Canoe Fishers Association. Each organization received 100 life jackets.

This gesture is part of the GMA's Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihood Initiative, which offers inland waterway operators the opportunity to acquire life jackets at subsidized prices through monthly installments. This strategy aims to alleviate the financial burden of obtaining essential safety equipment for operators. According to Captain Kodjo Adjarko Osei, the Deputy Director of Technical Services Division and Head of Inland Waterways at the GMA, the high cost of life jackets has been a significant deterrent for some operators, leading to non-compliance with water safety regulations.

Osei highlighted that by improving access to affordable life jackets, the Authority is addressing this challenge and emphasizing the critical role of wearing life jackets in preventing avoidable deaths during water transport accidents. The initiative also supports the enforcement of the GMA's "No Life Jacket, No Sailing" directive, which was introduced earlier this year as part of the Safety Guards Programme.

Making life jackets readily available is crucial to ensuring operators comply with safety regulations before setting out on journeys on inland waterways.

Mr Safo Nketiah, the Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, representing the community, applauded the GMA's efforts to safeguard the lives of those who depend on waterways for their livelihoods. He noted that approximately 40% of residents in Dambai are involved in lake-related activities, highlighting the importance of life jackets in protecting lives and sustaining economic activities in the area.

Nketiah urged the Authority to continue such initiatives to boost water safety awareness and encourage better compliance among boat operators and fishers.

The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the GMA's intervention, emphasizing it as a crucial step towards improving safety on the Oti River. They committed to using the life jackets as intended and adhering to established safety protocols to protect lives and promote safer inland water transport. This effort illustrates the GMA's dedication to raising safety standards on inland waterways by overcoming barriers to accessing life-saving equipment and reinforcing compliance with maritime safety regulations.