The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has officially commissioned the first batch of 200 inland Water Safety Guards and launched the Life Jackets for Safety and Livelihood Initiative to improve safety on Ghana’s inland waterways and reduce preventable accidents that continue to claim lives across the country.

Speaking at the launch, Hon. Bukari Nikpe described the initiative as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to restore order, accountability and safety across Ghana’s inland water transport sector. He noted that Ghana’s extensive network of rivers and inland water bodies serves as vital economic corridors connecting farming communities to markets, enabling access to education, healthcare and other essential services. However, recurring boat accidents and the resulting loss of lives have become a national concern that requires decisive intervention.

“This initiative is not merely a project rollout; it is a decisive statement of the government’s commitment to restore order, accountability and safety on our waterways. It reflects our determination to protect lives and secure sustainable livelihoods for all Ghanaians,” Hon. Nikpe mentioned.

He recalled several tragic incidents in which innocent lives, including school children and families travelling across rivers, were lost due to inadequate safety measures and the absence of life jackets. According to the Minister, the government is determined to ensure that such avoidable tragedies become a thing of the past through a combination of education, enforcement, and community participation.

The Minister noted that the commissioning of the first cohort of 200 inland Water Safety Guards marks the beginning of a nationwide deployment strategy that will be rolled out progressively across all regions with significant inland water transport activities. The Safety Guards have been trained to enforce safety regulations, monitor compliance with operational standards, and promote responsible practices among boat operators and passengers.

The Minister explained that the deployment of the Safety Guards was part of a comprehensive institutional response by the Ghana Maritime Authority aimed at resetting the culture of safety on inland waterways while strengthening regulatory oversight within the sector.

He said as part of the initiative, the government has introduced a three-pronged life jacket distribution model designed to ensure that every passenger travelling by boat has access to a life jacket.

The first component of the distribution model, he noted, involves the provision of high-quality life jackets at subsidised prices to individuals who wish to own personal safety equipment for their daily commuting activities. The second component establishes a rental system under which life jackets will be made available at minimal cost through boat operators, community leaders, and local assemblies, with the third component combining both ownership and rental options to guarantee accessibility for all water transport users.

The initiative, he added, goes beyond public education and introduces stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with safety regulations across all inland water transport operations.

“The policy is simple and clear: No life jacket, no travel. We will ensure that this initiative is fully enforced to safeguard every life that depends on our inland waterways. Just as we wear seatbelts in vehicles and helmets on motorcycles, every passenger travelling by boat must wear a life jacket. It is not a punishment but a simple measure to save lives,” he stated.

Hon. Bukari Nikpe encouraged boat operators to view the Safety Guards as partners in promoting safety rather than obstacles to their operations, urging them to cooperate fully with enforcement officers to ensure safe and secure transportation for passengers.

He commended Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities and opinion leaders for supporting the recruitment process and partnering with the Government to improve water transport safety within their respective communities.

The Minister also expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Ghana Maritime Authority for spearheading the initiative and acknowledged the Ghana Navy for its collaboration in training the newly commissioned Safety Guards to undertake their responsibilities professionally and effectively. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the programme nationwide until every major inland water transport route benefit from enhanced safety measures and regulatory supervision.

Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe noted that the Ministry of Transport is committed to working closely with the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Assemblies, traditional leaders, boat operators, community members, and opinion leaders to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative and the realisation of a safer inland water transport system for all Ghanaians.