The Member of Parliament for Kpando, Sebastian Deh, has underscored the vast potential of the local fishing industry to create jobs and drive economic growth, stressing that adherence to safety regulations will be key to unlocking its full benefits.
He said enforcing safety measures such as the compulsory use of life jackets would not only save lives but also strengthen investor confidence and expand opportunities for young people engaged in fishing and trading activities around the Kpando-Torkor Harbour.
“The fishing industry here has a bright future. Once safety becomes part of the culture, jobs will be created for the youth, businesses will thrive, and development will follow,” the MP said during an engagement with officials of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).
From next year, the GMA will strictly enforce the mandatory use of life jackets on the Volta Lake as part of measures to ensure safety on vessels plying between the Kpando-Torkor Harbour and the Afram Plains. The authority is procuring large quantities of life jackets to support compliance, as many of the approximately 150 boats operating on the lake currently have only a few on board.
During an inspection tour of the soon-to-be-commissioned GMA office at the harbour and the rescue vessel A. Martey Korley, the Director-General of the GMA, Naval Captain (Rtd.) Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safety and infrastructure development on the lake.
He described the Kpando-Torkor Harbour as a “national transport treasure” with immense potential to transform livelihoods and said the authority would “stop at nothing to enforce safety measures” on all vessels.
Naval Captain Ali also commended President Mahama’s support for the safety initiative, saying the deployment of the rescue boat reflected the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and promoting sustainable lake transport.
He urged residents to actively participate in the GMA’s upcoming public education campaigns, adding that the Reset Agenda and the 24-Hour Economy Initiative both require a renewed focus on safety and responsibility.
“From next year, the use of life jackets by boat operators and passengers will no longer be optional. It’s a non-negotiable step toward safer and more productive lake transport,” he emphasized.
Some boat operators appealed to authorities to rehabilitate the road linking Kpando township to the Kpando-Torkor Harbour to improve market access and stimulate local commerce.
