Gender Ministry mourns victims of Kete Krachi boat disaster

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has expressed profound sorrow over the recent boat tragedy on the Oti River near Kete Krachi, which claimed fifteen lives, including eleven children.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 13, 2025, the Ministry described the disaster as a devastating national loss that has cut short the futures of many young Ghanaians. It extended condolences to the grieving families, survivors, and the entire Kete Krachi community.

“The Ministry stands with the affected families and will provide the necessary support through relevant state agencies,” the statement said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to assist victims and their relatives.

It commended the Ghana Maritime Authority and emergency response teams for their prompt action in rescuing survivors and initiating investigations to determine the cause of the accident.

Calling for stricter compliance with maritime safety regulations, the Ministry urged local authorities, community leaders, and boat operators to intensify enforcement of safety rules. It underscored the importance of wearing life jackets and adhering to capacity limits to avert future incidents.

The Ministry further appealed for greater coordination among institutions responsible for inland water transport, stressing that collective vigilance was key to preventing avoidable tragedies.

“Safety on our waters must remain a national priority,” it said, adding that lessons from this disaster should prompt lasting reforms in water transport management.

It expressed sympathy to the families and the community affected by the tragedy praying for God’s support for them at this difficult time.

“May the Almighty grant comfort and strength to all those mourning this painful loss,” the statement added.

Over the weekend, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) confirmed the fatal boat disaster on the Volta Lake near Kete Krachi resulting in a devastating loss of lives.

The incident is said to have occurred on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at approximately 1:30 PM (13:30 hrs). A statement released by the GMA on Sunday, October 12, 2025, narrated that a small boat carrying passengers reportedly returning from a funeral at Okuma to Bovime, both in the Krachi West District of the Oti Region, tragically capsized.

Preliminary reports indicate that the boat was “grossly overloaded” beyond its safe operational capacity. The disaster claimed 15 lives in total.

11 of the deceased were children between the ages of 2 and 14 years (five males and six females). The remaining four victims were adults — three women and one man—aged between 18 to 64 years.

Boat accidents on the Volta Lake remains a major concern for communities living around Ghana’s largest lake. On August 9, 2025, a boat carrying people from Kete Krachi to an island community capsized following a heavy storm. Two passengers died, leaving just one survivor.

That same month, a boat accident killed mourners on Volta Lake at Krachi Nchumuru in the Oti Region. The boat returning from a funeral was overloaded with passengers, motorbikes, and foodstuffs. After encountering strong winds, it capsized. The accident resulted in the deaths of five people.

According to analysts, these maritime accidents are caused by overloading, as many boats and canoes carry more people or cargo than they are designed for.

In other situations, passengers on the boats lack safety gear. Life jackets are often missing, or passengers not wearing them.

Also, sudden bad weather or storms contribute to boats being overwhelmed.