The Government of Ghana has launched a nationwide enforcement drive to improve safety on inland waterways, commissioning 200 Safety Guards and rolling out a new “No Life Jacket, No Travelling” policy aimed at reducing preventable deaths from boat accidents.
The initiative, known as the Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods Programme, was officially launched on Tuesday at the forecourt of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) by the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe.
The programme forms part of a broader government effort to strengthen safety standards on rivers, lakes and other inland water bodies, where boat accidents continue to claim lives due to poor safety compliance, overcrowding and the non-use of life jackets.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Nikpe said the government was shifting from public awareness campaigns to direct enforcement measures designed to save lives in communities that rely heavily on water transport.
“Today, I officially commissioned the Safety Guards and launched the Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods Programme, a strategic intervention aimed at enhancing safety and saving lives across Ghana’s inland water communities,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the introduction of the “No Life Jacket, No Travelling” policy marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to tackle recurring tragedies on its waterways.
“Government has moved beyond awareness creation to decisive action with the introduction of the policy: ‘No Life Jacket, No Travelling,’” he stated.
According to him, the 200 Safety Guards have been carefully selected and trained to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations at landing sites and crossing points across the country.
The officers are expected to monitor passenger movements and ensure that every commuter wears a life jacket before embarking on a journey.
Mr. Nikpe commended the newly commissioned guards for their commitment to public service and urged them to carry out their duties diligently.
“I charge you to work diligently to enforce safety measures across all 1,600 inland water communities in Ghana,” he said.
To support the initiative, the government has made 20,000 life jackets available for sale and rental in inland water communities nationwide, a move authorities believe will improve access to essential safety equipment for passengers and boat operators.
The Minister called on citizens, commuters and transport operators to cooperate fully with the Safety Guards and adhere to established safety protocols.
“Together, we can prevent avoidable tragedies and protect lives,” he added.
The Director-General of the GMA, Naval Captain (Rtd) Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, Esq., also described the safety guards and life jackets as critical tools in protecting lives on Ghana’s waterways.
“Safety is everyone’s duty, but these guards and life jackets are our first line of defense. We urge everyone to cooperate fully and support these guards,” he said.
In the Upper West Region, the programme has received an additional boost through the deployment of Safety Guards recruited largely from the Lawra and Nandom Municipalities and the Wa West District, communities where water transport remains an important means of movement during parts of the year.
The regional commissioning was attended by Members of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu; Lawra, Bede A. Ziedeng; and Nandom, Richard Kuuire.
Authorities say the combined deployment of Safety Guards and the distribution of life jackets is expected to significantly reduce fatalities on inland waterways while promoting a stronger culture of safety among passengers and boat operators across Ghana.
Source: Kumasimail.com
