Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has donated GH₵200,000 to families affected by last Saturday’s tragic boat accident on the River Oti in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti Region.
The Vice President made the donation during a visit to Okuma, where she met with bereaved families and survivors to express the government’s condolences and solidarity.
In addition to the cash donation, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang presented relief items including 200 life jackets, 100 bags of rice, 200 blankets, 30 cartons of Frytol oil, 10 cartons of soap, and 100 mosquito nets.
She assured the affected families that the government will bear the cost of funerals and cover the medical bills of survivors receiving treatment.
“This is a very devastating incident that affects not just the victims’ families but the entire nation. We are here to mourn with you and to also ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again. I urge all boat operators to make sure every passenger wears a life jacket before boarding. Together, we can make these accidents a thing of the past,” she said.
The Vice President was accompanied by Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Oti Regional Minister John Kwadwo Gyapong, COCOBOD Board Chair Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, and officials from NADMO and the Ghana Maritime Authority.
The Member of Parliament for Krachi West, Helen Adwoa Ntoso, who joined the visit, commended the Vice President for the swift response and called on boat operators to comply strictly with safety protocols.
The accident, which occurred on October 11, claimed 15 lives, including children, when a canoe capsized on the River Oti. Rescue operations and investigations into the cause of the disaster are still ongoing.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
