Fifteen people, including eleven children, have died in a tragic canoe accident on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi in the Oti Region. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 11, 2025, when a wooden canoe carrying mourners from Okuma to Debume for a funeral capsized midway across the lake.
According to initial reports from local authorities, the canoe was overloaded beyond its capacity. Eyewitnesses said the vessel, made of light wood, was carrying several adults and children with heavy loads of food items and funeral materials when it lost balance due to strong currents. Rescue efforts by nearby fishermen and residents were hampered by turbulent waters and the absence of lifejackets among passengers.
Out of the passengers on board, four adults were also confirmed dead, while four survivors were rescued and treated at nearby health facilities before being discharged. The deceased, including children between two and fourteen years old, have been deposited at the Worawora Government Hospital for autopsy and identification.
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing it as “one of the most heartbreaking maritime tragedies to hit the Volta Lake in recent years.” The Authority expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Kete Krachi community. It also announced the deployment of a specialised investigation team comprising maritime inspectors and members of the Navy Task Force to the scene to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
“The Ghana Maritime Authority extends its heartfelt sympathies to the affected families. A joint investigative committee will be established with the Ministry of Transport to uncover the causes and enforce accountability,” the GMA said.
The Authority also revealed plans to set up a Casualty Investigations Committee to assess operational lapses and recommend urgent safety reforms. Among the key measures proposed are stricter enforcement of loading limits, mandatory use of lifejackets, and continuous public education for passengers and boat operators.
The GMA stressed that despite ongoing sensitization campaigns, many passengers continue to ignore safety rules, often boarding overloaded vessels or travelling without safety gear. It urged residents living along the Volta Lake and other inland waterways to be vigilant and refuse boarding any vessel that is visibly unsafe.
“We urge all residents and travellers along the Volta Lake to refuse boarding any boat that is visibly overloaded or without lifejackets. Your vigilance could save lives, especially those of children,” the Authority’s statement emphasized.
Maritime experts have long warned about the poor enforcement of lake transport regulations in Ghana. Despite repeated accidents on the Volta Lake over the past decade, including the 2022 Ada East boat disaster and the 2023 Dambai tragedy, the situation remains largely unchanged. A combination of weak monitoring, poor vessel maintenance, and disregard for weather conditions continues to threaten the lives of thousands of commuters who rely on canoes and small boats for daily transportation.
The Volta Lake, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, serves as a critical waterway for communities across the Oti, Bono East, and Volta Regions. However, its vastness and unpredictable weather make navigation risky, particularly for unlicensed operators using unmotorised or poorly maintained boats.
Residents in Kete Krachi have called for stronger government intervention, including the provision of safer transport vessels and trained personnel to enforce safety protocols. Some community leaders have also appealed for the establishment of a permanent rescue and response unit along the lake’s major landing sites.
As investigations continue, this latest tragedy adds to Ghana’s growing list of inland maritime accidents, renewing calls for stricter oversight and better infrastructure on the Volta Lake.
Two Suspects Arrested Over Alleged Assassination Plot Against Akyem Kwabeng Chief and Queen Mother