The driver of the boat that capsized on Volta Lake in the East Gonja District has been identified as Edmond Akli.
The tragic boat incident claimed the lives of nine people.
The boat driver narrating the tragedy explained that the boat set off from Yeji around 3:00 p.m., but encountered strong winds midway through the journey.
He disclosed that he attempted to steer the boat to a safer area where passengers could be safely disembarked, but failed.
The boat driver detailed that strong winds unsettled the passengers, making it difficult for him to maintain control of the boat, adding that the situation worsened when passengers panicked when they were supposed to remain calm and seated, instead stood up during the turbulence, which eventually caused the boat to capsize.
Speaking to TV3 on April 9, 2026, Edmond explained, “When the wind first blew, they were supposed to stay calm and let me, as the driver, take control. But they panicked and stood up, which led to the boat capsizing”.
He further disclosed that after the boat overturned, only he and his mate were able to swim.
They attempted to rescue passengers but only managed to save at least four people.
The Salaga District Police Commander, DSP Gabriel Kofi Alorsey, has disclosed that one man has lost his three wives, five children, and his mother in the Volta Lake boat accident.
In a post shared on X by TV3, it read, “A man lost his 3 wives with five children and the mother, it’s sad”.
Some Ghanaians reacting to the tragic news wrote, “His whole world crashed just in one day. Don’t want to imagine how he feels, it will be brutal”.
“As a country, we have a problem with law enforcement. How can we allow people to travel on these lakes without life jackets and sometimes overloading boats?”, one X user added.
The Salaga District Police Commander, DSP Gabriel Kofi Alorsey’s revelation comes on the heels of a heartbreaking, tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake in the East Gonja District, which has claimed the lives of nine people.
Reports suggest the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, around 5:30 pm, between Sikakope and Mataiko along the Yeji–Congo route.
The capsized boat is said to have been carrying 14 passengers and reportedly capsized due to rough weather conditions.
According to reports, five male passengers were rescued, while the victims include women and children.
Speaking to Joy News, Savannah Regional Minister Salisu Be-Awuribe stated, “We’ve directed the district NADMO officers to quickly move to the site and see what other packages are available to give to them.
“We are also mobilising resources to assist the families affected, but it is unfortunate that we lost nine patriots’ lives,” he said.
In related news, in 2025, a tragic Volta Lake boat disaster claimed the lives of 15 mourners.
Reports suggest the tragic incident happened at the Krachi West District of the Oti Region when the canon capsized on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were heading to a funeral when water began seeping into the canoe between Okuma-Akura and Debume.
The Assembly Member for the area revealed that about 21 people were on board at the time.
Fifteen of the twenty-one people have been confirmed dead, while six others were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Reports suggest the survivors have since been discharged.
The tragic incident has plunged the entire community into mourning.
However, it has been alleged that the canoe was being operated by a 14-year-old boy.