Misornu Safety Centre urges national safety-first mindset after Oti River boat tragedy

The MISORNU Safety Centre, an NGO focused on personal safety education, has expressed condolences to the families of 15 victims, including 11 children, of the recent boat accident on the Oti River near Kete Krachi.

In a statement signed by DCOP (Rtd) David Senanu Eklu, Executive Director of MISORNU, the Centre described the tragedy as a wake-up call to strengthen water transport safety through enforcement and public education. The Centre highlighted preliminary reports indicating overloading, lack of life jackets, and insufficient adult supervision as contributing factors.

“This heartbreaking incident serves as yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for Ghana to develop and practice a proactive, safety-first mindset at all levels of national life,” the statement said. MISORNU also referenced past incidents, including the 2016 Yeji-Adidome, 2020 Volta Lake, and 2023 Afram Plains accidents, all resulting from recurring safety lapses.

The Centre urged the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Ministry of Transport, and other agencies to prioritise prevention through transparent investigations, strict enforcement, and mandatory life jacket use. Collaboration with local assemblies and community leaders to establish early-warning and rapid-response systems was also recommended.

As part of its ongoing National Safety Awareness Programme, MISORNU plans to educate students, communities, and transport operators on risk awareness, personal safety, and emergency preparedness. Upcoming Senior High School Security Awareness Campaigns will include modules specifically addressing boat and water transport safety.

The accident reportedly occurred early in the morning on Saturday, when a small passenger boat returning from a funeral from Okuma to Bovime capsized due to overloading. Four adults survived, while the remaining 15 victims, aged 2 to 64, lost their lives. Twelve bodies have been deposited at local hospital mortuaries, with three children already buried.

The GMA has deployed a specialised investigative team, including maritime safety inspectors and Navy Task Force personnel, to determine the precise cause of the accident and hold responsible parties accountable. A high-level Casualty Investigations Committee will undertake a comprehensive inquiry, and an extensive lakeside enforcement operation will ensure vessels comply with safety regulations, including passenger limits and life jacket mandates. Boats found in violation will be seized, and operators prosecuted.