Making a statement in Parliament, she said the boat, which was carrying more than 20 passengers, capsized, with preliminary reports pointing to overloading and poor safety practices as possible causes of the disaster.  

Rev Ntoso extended condolences to the bereaved families, saying: “Our hearts and prayers go out to the bereaved families and all those affected by this irreparable loss.”  

She commended the swift response of the Ghana Maritime Authority, the government, and philanthropists, including Mr Ibrahim Mahama, who donated 200 life jackets to support rescue and safety efforts.  

The MP urged the government, corporate entities, and individuals to donate more life jackets to island communities and to enforce strict safety protocols on the country’s waterways.  

“We must ensure that boats are not overloaded, that operators are properly trained and licensed, and that every passenger wears a life jacket before boarding,” she said.  

Rev Ntoso noted that the incident underscores the urgent need to build a culture of safety and responsibility across all water transport operations in the country.