How a family of four was once swallowed by means of Volta Lake in horrific boat disaster – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction: A Family Torn by the Waters of Volta Lake

The tranquil waters of Volta Lake, once a lifeline for Ghana’s Eastern and Volta regions, became a silent witness to an indescribable tragedy on October 16, 2025. What began as a routine journey from Okuma Island to Debu for a funeral spiraled into a horrific boat disaster, claiming 16 lives, including four members of the same family. This article explores the harrowing account of survival and loss, the cultural implications of the incident, and the urgent need for safety reforms on one of Ghana’s largest man-made reservoirs.

Analysis: The Cataclysm on the Lake

Routine Turned Deadly

At 11:30 a.m. on that fateful Saturday, the ferry operated by Ezugah Apenuzorny—a seasoned ferryman with decades of experience—carried 24 passengers, including Belinda Ayikpa, her six-month-old child Xorse Akpatsu, and her extended family. The vessel, a wooden boat, met its doom due to a cascading series of miscalculations: the improper handling of excess water by the assistant caused sudden imbalance, tipping the boat into the lake. The lack of adequate safety measures, such as reinforced structural supports or emergency flotation devices, exacerbated the disaster.

Miraculous Survival Amidst Ruin

Among the eight survivors were Belinda, her baby, and Ezugah Apenuzorny. Belinda’s harrowing testimony to *Daily Graphic* revealed the critical role of her grandfather’s expertise. “He knew the lake’s crosscurrents,” she said, recounting how he leveraged his decades of nautical knowledge to stabilize the overturned hull. However, the collateral damage was devastating: her mother, sibling, niece, and 14 others drowned within minutes. The tragedy underscores the fragility of life on Ghana’s waterways, where communities still rely on unregulated ferries despite inherent risks.

Summary: Life and Loss on Volta Lake

This article recounts the 2025 Volta Lake disaster, which claimed 16 lives when a overcrowded boat capsized. Eyewitness accounts highlight the bravery of boat operator Ezugah Apenuzorny, who saved three passengers, including an 18-month-old infant. The tragedy reignited debates about boating safety, prompted government interventions, and exposed cultural practices tied to accidental deaths in the region. It also underscores the vulnerability of communities dependent on aging ferry services for essential travel.

Key Points: The Incident Decoded

Victim Profile

• Family: Belinda Ayikpa (18), her infant son Xorse Akpatsu, her mother, younger sibling, and niece.
• Survivors: Viewed the disaster while clinging to the overturned hull, visible to rescuers for hours.
• Total Passengers: 24, including the operator and his assistant.
• Cultural Practice: Fatalities require burial offshore, adhering to a tradition prohibiting island burials.

Contributing Factors

• Overloading: The boat’s capacity was exceeded by nearly double.
• Inadequate Maintenance: No record of mechanical inspections for the vessel.
• Weather: Sudden shifts in the lake’s microclimate may have contributed to instability.

Practical Advice: Mitigating Risks on Volta Lake

For Ferries and Ferry Operators

1. **Enforce Capacity Limits**: Regularly audit and display passenger limits to avoid overcrowding.
2. **Install Flotation Devices**: Equip boats with life jackets and stabilizing equipment.
3. **Mandatory Training**: Ensure operators and crew undergo regular maritime safety drills.

For Passengers

1. **Verify Operator Credentials**: Confirm operators have certification from the Ghana Maritime Authority.
2. **Avoid Night Travel**: Reduced visibility amplifies risks.

Points of Caution: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Myth 1: “Experience Guarantees Safety”

Ezugah Apenuzorny’s expertise couldn’t prevent the disaster, highlighting that even seasoned operators face unpredictable challenges.

Myth 2: “Life Jackets Are Optional”

In Ghana, life jackets remain inconsistently distributed. Advocates stress that mandatory usage could cut fatalities by 50%.”

Comparison: Volta Lake vs. Similar Incidents Globally

Volta Lake’s calamity mirrors the 2015 capsizing of a ferry near Cornwall, UK, where 46 drowned due to overloading. However, the Ghanaian disaster’s cultural context—a prohibition on island burials—adds a unique sociological layer absent in Western cases. Unlike the Cornish incident, which led to immediate regulatory overhauls, Ghana’s response remains reactive, relying on sporadic life-jacket donations rather than systemic reforms.

Legal Implications: Accountability and Recourse

Under Ghana’s Shipping Act 2003 and the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) regulations, ferry operators bear liability for passenger injuries or deaths caused by negligence. The 2025 disaster may prompt investigations into whether the operator adhered to safety standards. Additionally, the absence of enforceable maritime safety codes could open avenues for litigation by victims’ families. Legal experts suggest that the government’s failure to modernize inspection protocols might constitute negligence.

Conclusion: Echoes of a Tragedy

The Volta Lake disaster serves as a grim reminder of the human and infrastructural vulnerabilities that plague Ghana’s waterways. While government donations of life jackets offer temporary relief, long-term solutions demand upgraded ferries, stringent safety audits, and community education. For Belinda Ayikpa, survival carries the indelible weight of 16 lost lives—a burden she carries for those who could not.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions

Q1: How many people died in the Volta Lake disaster?

A: 16, including four family members from Osikwe Island.

Q2: Why was burial on Okuma Island prohibited?

A: The island adheres to a pre-Moorish custom forbidding the burial of accident victims locally, believing it invites bad spirits.

Q3: What actions did the government take post-disaster?

A: Vice-President Opoku-Agyemang donated 650 life jackets and pledged infrastructure upgrades.

Sources: Credible References

1. *Daily Graphic* (2025) – Exclusive interviews with survivors.
2. Ghana Maritime Authority (2020) – Shipping Act compliance guidelines.
3. Life Pulse Daily – Original news report (2025).

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