GMA distributes 300 life jackets to boat operators, fishers in Dambai
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has distributed 300 life jackets to boat operators and fishers in Dambai as part of efforts to improve safety compliance and reduce deaths on the Oti River.
The donation was made at the Dambai Ferry Station, with three groups benefiting from the initiative: the Boat Owners and Operators Association-Dambai, A1 Boats and the Inland Canoe Fishers Association. Each organisation received 100 life jackets.
The intervention forms part of the GMA’s Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihood Initiative, which enables inland waterway operators to purchase life jackets at subsidised prices and pay in monthly instalments, making the essential safety equipment more affordable.
The Deputy Director of the Technical Services Division and Head of Inland Waterways at the GMA, Captain Kodjo Adjarko Osei, said the high cost of life jackets had prevented some operators from acquiring them, contributing to poor compliance with water safety regulations.
He explained that the Authority was working to improve access to affordable life jackets, emphasising that their use was essential to preventing avoidable deaths during water transport accidents.
Captain Osei added that the intervention would support the enforcement of the GMA’s “No Life Jacket, No Sailing” directive, introduced earlier this year during the launch of its Safety Guards Programme.
He stressed that ensuring the ready availability of life jackets was necessary to encourage operators to comply with safety regulations before travelling on inland waterways.
The Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Safo Nketiah, who spoke on behalf of the community, praised the Authority for its efforts to protect people who depend on waterways for their livelihoods.
He noted that nearly 40 per cent of Dambai residents engaged in lake-related activities, making the provision and use of life jackets vital to safeguarding lives and sustaining economic activities in the area.
Mr Nketiah urged the GMA to continue such interventions to raise awareness of water safety and promote greater compliance among boat operators and fishers.
Beneficiaries also commended the Authority for the donation, describing it as an important step towards improving safety on the Oti River.
They pledged to use the life jackets for their intended purpose and adhere to established safety requirements to protect lives and promote safer inland water transport.
The initiative reflects the GMA’s commitment to strengthening safety standards on inland waterways by making life-saving equipment more accessible and reinforcing compliance with maritime safety regulations.
About The Author
