The Deputy Minister for Transport Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has lauded the government’s inland water safety initiative.
The Deputy Minister, who is also the and Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region described the initiative as a timely intervention that will save lives, improve livelihoods, and boost tourism in riverine communities across the country.
Madam Affo-Toffey was speaking to Onua News at the sideline of the commissioning and launch of 200 Inland Water Safety and Regulatory Officers and the distribution of 20,000 life jackets in Accra.
The launch of the 200 Inland Water Safety and Regulatory Officers and the distribution of 20,000 life jackets forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve safety standards on Ghana’s inland waterways and reduce the growing number of fatalities associated with water transport accidents across the country.
She expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for spearheading the initiative through the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).
According to her, the programme comes at a crucial time when Ghana continues to record avoidable deaths on its inland waterways due to poor safety practices and the widespread non-use of life jackets.
“I want to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic for this great initiative. I think it’s long overdue, especially when you consider the number of lives that have been lost on our rivers and inland water bodies over the years,” she stated.
Madam Affo-Toffey emphasized that the government’s intervention is aimed primarily at reducing fatalities on rivers, lakes, and other inland water transport routes through stricter enforcement of safety regulations and increased public education.
She urged the public especially members of the inland communities to embrace the programme and become advocates for water safety within their communities.
“We need everybody to buy into this initiative. We must all become campaigners and spread the message across the country. This is an important intervention rolled out by the President through the Ministry of Transport, and it deserves the support of every Ghanaian,” she said.
The Deputy Minister noted that many communities in her constituency and other parts of the country depend heavily on water transportation for their daily activities, making the safety programme particularly significant for residents in those areas.
She highlighted the potential benefits the initiative could bring to communities such as Nzulezu and Djoe Wofe and other parts of the country where residents rely extensively on river transport for commerce, education, healthcare access, and tourism activities.
The Jomoro MP explained that improving safety on inland waterways would not only protect lives but also strengthen local economies and encourage greater investment in tourism.
“What this initiative will do is save lives and enhance the livelihoods of my people. The safety component is extremely important to me because it will improve transportation, boost tourism, impact lives positively, and contribute to the development of our communities,” she stated.
The MP stressed that safer water transportation systems would increase confidence among both residents and visitors, particularly in tourism destinations that depend on canoe and river transport.
A key component of the government’s new safety strategy is the enforcement of a “No Life Jacket, No Travel” policy on inland waterways.
Madam Affo-Toffey pledged to champion the policy within her constituency and support nationwide efforts to ensure strict adherence to the regulations.
She called on the public to cooperate with the newly commissioned Inland Water Safety and Regulatory Officers, who will be responsible for enforcing safety standards and educating passengers and boat operators.
“As an MP, I am going to champion this cause. We will make sure the rules and regulations are followed. I appeal to everybody to respect the officers who have been commissioned and to listen to them because their work is aimed at protecting lives,” she said.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that implementing the policy may initially face resistance, particularly in communities where life jackets have traditionally not been used.
However, she expressed confidence that sustained public education and awareness campaigns would gradually change attitudes and encourage compliance.
“People have operated for a long time without life jackets, so naturally there may be some challenges getting everyone on board. But through education and continuous engagement, people will come to appreciate the importance of these safety measures,” she noted.
Madam Affo-Toffey stressed that public education would be essential to the success of the programme, pointing out that many water-related deaths in Ghana are preventable.
She referenced demonstrations conducted during the launch event, which illustrated how life jackets can significantly improve survival chances during accidents on water bodies.
“We saw practical demonstrations showing how life jackets save lives. It was very commendable and reinforced why this initiative is so important. Many of the deaths we record are needless and can be prevented if people take basic safety precautions,” she said.
The Deputy Minister appealed to all users of inland waterways including passengers, canoe owners, boat operators, and transport providers to make life jackets a mandatory part of every journey.
According to her, safety should not be limited to passengers alone but should extend to everyone involved in water transportation operations.
“It is important that everybody who travels on inland waters wears a life jacket. Not only passengers, but canoe owners and all operators as well. Life jackets save lives, and this initiative will help protect everyone who depends on water transport,” she emphasized.
By Timothy Antwi-Otoo|3news.com|Ghana