The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has extended government condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake.
In a Facebook message on Monday, October 13, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang communicated the government’s solidarity with the families and loved ones affected.
She wrote, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic boat accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi that has claimed the lives of 15 people, including 11 children.
On behalf of the Government of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the affected community, and all who have been impacted by this tragedy. We stand with you in this moment of grief”.
The 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
Also, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has confirmed that 15 lives have been lost in a tragic boat accident near Kete Krachi on Saturday, October 11.
According to the Ghana Maritime Authority, of the 15 lives, 11 of them are children aged between 2 and 14.
The GMA described the incident as heartbreaking and extended its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Kete Krachi community.
The Ghana Maritime Authority, in a statement dated October 12, 2025, issued on Sunday evening, stated, “most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Kete Krachi community, who are enduring an unimaginable loss. The sheer number of young lives cut short leaves an indelible pain on the heart of the nation.
The GMA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to improving and strictly enforcing safe water transport across all communities along the Volta Lake”.
We appeal to every citizen, community elder, and family member living along the lakeshore to act as vigilant custodians of safety— do not board any boat
that is visibly overloaded or lacks lifejackets. Your vigilance and refusal could save lives, especially those of children.
The GMA remains resolute in unravelling the root causes of this disaster and implementing measures to ensure that no such tragedy ever occurs again on
the Volta Lake”, it added.
The GMA further revealed plans to prevent future tragedies: “A full investigation involving maritime inspectors and the Navy Task Force to determine the cause of the accident and hold those responsible accountable.
The formation of a high-level Casualty Investigations Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport to propose urgent policy reforms.
Enhanced enforcement operations along the Volta Lake, with a focus on seizing and prosecuting overloaded boats and operators who flout safety regulations”.
Meanwhile, John Kudzo Gyapong, the Oti Regional Minister, has said he will not be surprised if reports claiming the boat involved in the Kete Krachi accident was being operated by an 11-year-old boy.
According to the Minister, as soon as one turns nine years old, they should know how to handle a boat.
He emphasised that he was not surprised that a child was controlling the boat, noting that such situations are common in the area.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, John Kudzo Gyapong stated, “I won’t be surprised if the person is 11 years that was handling the boat, because as soon as you get to the age of 9, you should be able to handle a boat.
So far as the fishermen are concerned, you should be able to handle a boat, you should be able to go fishing, you should be able to help your parents do anything that he does,” he said.
He further added, “As much as we educate people on the use of life jackets on the Volta Lake, whether you advise them or not, whether you educate them or not, whether you give them life jackets or not, unfortunately, they don’t use the life jacket. I haven’t seen any boat crossing or leaving an island where they put on life jackets.
We try to educate them; we arrest them. You ask them, and they will tell you the life jackets are heavy and they smell — that is the story they will tell you.
They will never want to use the life jacket. As much as you educate and fight to enforce the law that requires the use of life jackets on the Volta Lake, they find it difficult to wear them,” he explained.
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