The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has launched a strict 'No Life Jacket, No Boarding' policy in Ghana's Upper West Region. This move aims to enhance inland water safety and prevent tragic boat accidents.
The initiative follows a stakeholder dialogue in Wa under the GMA’s Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihoods Initiative. It seeks to build strong support for the new safety rule. This policy directly addresses the high number of fatalities on Ghana's inland waterways. The GMA is also making standard life jackets available at subsidized prices to ease the financial burden on commuters.
This enforcement comes as Ghana grapples with persistent challenges in water transport safety. The policy is a direct response to several fatal incidents, including the June 2025 boat disaster at Dikpe in the Lawra Municipality. That accident tragically claimed the lives of seven students. The GMA also cited the drowning of 12 children in Okuma and nine lives lost in a 2026 East Gonja disaster. These events highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and compliance across the country's riverine communities. The new regulations are crucial for protecting lives and ensuring safer travel on major rivers like the Black Volta.
GMA Director-General Naval Captain (Rtd) Dr Kamal-Deen Ali stated that protecting lives on inland waterways is a top priority. He emphasized the authority's commitment to solving difficult problems. Investigations into past accidents revealed non-compliance with safety requirements and the use of substandard life jackets as key causes of drowning. This information underscores the importance of the new policy and the provision of quality safety equipment.
The GMA is actively addressing the cost barrier to safety. Life jackets that typically retail for over GHS 400 are now offered at GHS 250. Bulk community purchases can further reduce the price to GHS 230 per jacket. Low-cost rental schemes will also become available at selected landing points. The Authority has also removed 26,448 submerged tree stumps nationwide between 2019 and 2026. This action improves navigation and reduces hazards for boat operators. The number of Inland Water Safety Guards will also increase from 200 to over 350, boosting enforcement capacity.
Lawra Municipal Police Commander ASP Abdulai Kadir called for stronger regulations. He noted that the June 2025 Dikpe disaster involved an unlicensed minor operating an overloaded canoe. Clearer legislation and enforceable load-line standards are essential for security agencies to act against non-compliant operators. Local government authorities, including the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive Cecelia Nuratu Soyele, have pledged support. They will co-fund life jacket purchases and absorb part of the cost. Wa West District Chief Executive Richard Wullo also committed to streamlining authorized crossing routes. He aims to standardize fares and discourage unsafe travel along the district's 20 unapproved crossing points.
The GMA is drafting a dedicated Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to strengthen inland water transport regulation. This proposed L.I. will introduce age restrictions for commercial boat operators. It will also require vessel licensing and classify boats by their intended use. These measures aim to create a more structured and accountable water transport system. The GMA Director-General urged traditional leaders, security agencies, and local assemblies to take ownership of safety enforcement. Landing-site committees, comprising local leaders and operators, will play a vital role in ensuring compliance. This comprehensive approach seeks to drastically reduce water transport fatalities and improve safety standards across Ghana's inland waterways.