A Performance audit report conducted by the Auditor-General has exposed safety issues and regulatory shortfalls in the country’s inland water transport sector. The report, covering 2019 to 2023, highlights the alarming frequency of accidents on the country’s waterways, resulting in significant loss of lives and properties.
In all, 23 watercrafts made up of fishing and transport crafts were involved in accidents which claimed 34 lives and properties worth millions of cedis during the period. This is in spite of the GH¢94.77 million spent in the last four years by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) to implement safety measures on inland waterways. This was discovered in the latest performance audit report on the safety of inland water transport on the Volta Lake in 2024.
The report blamed the prevailing safety and regulatory concerns on the country’s waterways to the inactiveness of the GMA to monitor and address the challenges.
Inland water transport (IWT) is a mode of movement of people and goods by means of watercraft such as pontoons, river ferries, boats and canoes along waterways such as rivers, lakes and canals.
Inland water transport plays a crucial role in Ghana’s transportation system, particularly for those living on islands and along riverbanks. It is the primary means of mobility for many people, facilitating trade and daily commuting.
Yet, the sector, which accounts for roughly five percent of the national transport system, has long been plagued by safety challenges. The report points out that 23 watercraft accidents occurred within the four-year audit period, painting a picture of systemic neglect.
The frequency of accidents is not just alarming but it is indicative of deep-seated regulatory failures that endanger the lives of Ghanaians who depend on water transport.
At the heart of this problem lies the Ghana Maritime Authority, the agency tasked with ensuring the safety and regulation of the country’s inland waterways. The report’s findings suggest that the GMA has not lived up to its mandate.
Despite the large sums spent on safety measures, including interventions aimed at improving oversight and enforcement, the agency has failed to prevent these tragic accidents. This failure calls into question how effectively the GMA is utilising its resources and whether the millions spent on safety initiatives are yielding the intended results.
The lack of regular monitoring of vessels, lax enforcement of safety standards and inadequate inspections have allowed unsafe practices to continue unchecked. The human cost of these failures is immense. Thirty-four lives lost within four years is a devastating toll, particularly when many of these deaths could have been avoided through stricter enforcement of safety protocols.
For many of the victims, inland water transport is not a choice but a necessity. They rely on it for their livelihoods, using boats, canoes, and ferries to transport goods and reach markets. The economic impact of these accidents is also substantial. These are losses that not only affect individuals but undermine local economies and disrupt trade routes essential for rural development.
One of the most concerning aspects of the report is the lack of basic safety measures on many inland water transport routes. Life jackets, for instance, are often unavailable or unused, and vessels are frequently overloaded. Poor navigation equipment and untrained personnel further compound the risks.
The GMA’s failure to enforce regulations in these areas has made the country’s waterways increasingly dangerous, leaving operators and passengers vulnerable to preventable accidents. Additionally, the report highlights that there is little to no public education on water safety, leaving many communities unaware of the precautions they need to take when using inland water transport.
This situation demands immediate action. The Ghana Maritime Authority must be held accountable for its regulatory lapses and there needs to be a comprehensive review of how the funds allocated for safety improvements have been utilised.
Furthermore, there is a critical need for a complete overhaul of the regulatory framework governing inland water transport. Stricter safety standards must be enforced with regular inspections of vessels and mandatory training for operators. The GMA must also invest in public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the importance of adhering to safety protocols.
Inland water transport offers immense potential for the country, particularly in terms of trade and rural development. However, this potential can only be realised if the sector is made safe and reliable. The recent audit report is a wake-up call that should not be ignored.
Lives are being lost and livelihoods are being destroyed because of preventable accidents on the country’s waterways. Now is the time for decisive action. The Ghana Maritime Authority must step up its efforts to regulate and monitor inland water transport, ensuring that the necessary safety measures are not just implemented but enforced consistently. The government must also prioritise investments in infrastructure and rescue services to improve safety on the waterways.
The responsibility for addressing these issues does not rest with the GMA alone. Communities that rely on inland water transport must also take ownership of the safety challenges they face. The time to act is now, before more lives are needlessly lost to preventable accidents.
