Volta Lake Tragedy: Gov’t to Cover Burial Costs, Support Survivors – Veep Opoku-Agyemang

Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has announced that the Government of Ghana will bear the full cost of burial for the victims of the Volta Lake boat disaster, which claimed 15 lives, including 11 children, and will provide support to help survivors rebuild their livelihoods.

Leading a government delegation to the Krachi West District on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured the affected families that the government stands firmly with them during this difficult time.

“Government will bear the cost of burial of the victims and we will provide rapid support for the survivors,” she stated.

The Vice President also presented relief items and over 600 life jackets to residents living along the Volta Lake, urging them to prioritize safety by wearing life jackets whenever crossing the lake.

“We must all learn from this painful experience. Let us ensure that safety precautions, especially the wearing of life jackets, are strictly observed,” she said.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, October 11, 2025, when a wooden canoe overloaded with passengers capsized on the Volta Lake between Okuma and Bovime in the Oti Region. According to the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), preliminary investigations indicate that the vessel exceeded its safe carrying capacity.

Out of the 19 passengers on board, 15 lost their lives—11 children aged 2 to 14, and four adults aged 18 to 64. The remaining four passengers survived.

The GMA has launched a comprehensive investigation in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and a High-Level Casualty Investigations Committee to determine the cause of the disaster and identify those responsible for breaching safety protocols.

In a statement, the GMA described the accident as “a critical and unacceptable breach of safety standards” and pledged to enforce stricter measures across all inland waterways. The Authority also announced an intensified lakeside safety enforcement operation, which includes:

Seizing and prosecuting operators of overloaded or unlicensed boats.

• Mandatory use of life jackets for all passengers.
• Strict adherence to passenger limits.

“The sheer number of young lives cut short leaves an indelible pain on the heart of the nation,” the GMA lamented.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, in her Facebook post earlier on October 13, also extended government’s condolences to the affected families, writing:

“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. We stand with you in this moment of grief.”

The government’s intervention is part of a broader effort to enhance maritime safety and prevent future tragedies on the Volta Lake — a critical transport route for thousands of residents across Ghana’s inland communities.