The Member of Parliament for Pru East, Emmanuel Kweku Boam, has called for stronger national policies and greater public responsibility to curb the growing incidence of drowning in Ghana, particularly in communities that depend on inland water transport.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) PROTECT Technical Package for Drowning Prevention in Akosombo, Mr. Boam said while government has a critical role in providing policy direction and resources, citizens must also embrace safe practices to prevent avoidable deaths on the country’s waterways.
The legislator, whose constituency lies along the Volta Lake and has experienced several fatal boat accidents, described drowning as a public health and development challenge that demands sustained collaboration between government, local authorities and communities.
According to him, his office has already taken steps to improve water safety by partnering with the Ghana Navy to educate residents, boat operators and fisherfolk on drowning prevention and the proper use of life jackets. He added that life jackets have also been distributed to some communities to encourage safer travel on the lake.
However, Mr. Boam stressed that these interventions alone cannot eliminate the problem.
He urged the Government of Ghana to give serious consideration to the recommendations contained in the WHO’s new technical package, saying comprehensive national policies, stronger enforcement of safety regulations, public education and sustained investment in rescue systems are essential to reducing drowning deaths.
The MP expressed regret over the recurring loss of lives on the Volta Lake, recalling the tragic boat disaster in April this year that claimed nine lives, including women and children, along the Yeji-Kongo route. Preliminary investigations indicated that the boat was caught in a storm, while reports also pointed to the absence of life jackets and possible safety breaches.
Following the tragedy, the MP assured affected families that investigations would be pursued to establish the exact cause of the accident while calling for stricter enforcement of water transport safety measures to prevent similar disasters.
The WHO launched the PROTECT Technical Package for Drowning Prevention ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day to provide countries with evidence-based strategies to reduce drowning through safer water infrastructure, swimming and water safety education, improved rescue systems, safer water transport, child protection measures and stronger flood preparedness.
Stakeholders at the launch expressed optimism that the framework would help Ghana strengthen its national drowning prevention strategy and reduce fatalities, especially in vulnerable riverine and coastal communities where water remains the primary means of transport and livelihood.
9 persons drown, 7 missing after boat on which they were traveling on Volta Lake capsized
By David Nenebi Ayertey
