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Three people have tragically died after a boat capsized on the Oti River near Dambai on Tuesday evening. The boat, carrying ten passengers from Dambai to Njari, a farming and fishing community in the Krachi East Municipality, encountered disaster mid-journey.
Rescue operations have successfully saved seven individuals, but three others—a man, a woman, and a child—did not survive. Emmanuel Atali, the Assembly Member for the Dambai Lakeside electoral area, confirmed the deaths to Citi News, noting that an extensive recovery operation involving the Navy, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the police, and local residents is underway to recover the bodies.
This incident highlights a growing concern among local travelers, who have increasingly relied on canoes to navigate the Oti River following the breakdown of the sole ferry servicing the area. The tragedy has reignited calls from the community for the urgent provision of a new ferry or the construction of a bridge to ensure safer passage across the river.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Ghana has experienced several similar tragedies in recent years:
– December 2023: Manasseh Addison Sackey, a 34-year-old assemblyman known as Teacher Obour, drowned while campaigning for re-election in the Teberebie electoral area in Prestea, Western Region. He was among six passengers when their boat capsized in a river connecting Aklika on December 4.
– August 2023: Four farmers from Galinkpegu in the Tolon District of the Northern Region died when their canoe capsized in the Golinga irrigation dam. The victims were identified as Alhassan Zakaria, 40; Yakubu Danaa, 45; Alhassan Musah, 45; and Issahaku Musah.
– May 2023: Five people went missing and one died after a boat capsized on the Black Volta in the Savannah Region. The boat was reportedly overloaded with passengers and goods.
– May 2023: Nine children drowned after a boat capsized at Faanaa-Bortianor in the Greater Accra Region. The incident occurred while the children were returning from school.
– March 2023: Five people died when a boat carrying mourners capsized on the Volta Lake. The victims included three children under the age of three and two women.
– January 2023: Eight pupils from the Atikagome Community in the Sene East District of the Bono East Region drowned after their boat capsized on the Volta Lake. The pupils were travelling to school at the time.
These recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures, regular maintenance of transport vessels, and the establishment of more robust infrastructure to protect the lives of those relying on river transport in Ghana.
