By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), May 30, GNA – Residents and commuters in the Oti Region have renewed calls for the replacement of the Ndewura Jakpa pontoon operating on the Volta Lake at Dambai, citing recurring mechanical failures that pose safety risks and disrupt economic activities.
The appeal follows the latest breakdown on Thursday, May 28, 2026, when the pontoon, which was transporting commercial and private vehicles across the Oti River, stalled midway through its journey.
Efforts by local authorities to restore movement proved unsuccessful, prompting the deployment of Ghana Navy personnel, who used two boats to tow the vessel to safety after several hours.
Mr Senyo Nutakor among some passengers who were onboard expressed concern about the lack of timely communication during the incident, noting that the pontoon came to a halt without prior notice.
Residents observed that the latest breakdown was not an isolated occurrence but part of a pattern of operational challenges that have affected the vessel in recent years.
On February 16, 2025, the pontoon suffered a similar mechanical failure at about 0900 hours, leaving hundreds of passengers and vehicles stranded on both sides of the lake.
The breakdown, which occurred on a market day, disrupted the transportation of agricultural produce, particularly yams destined for markets in Accra, resulting in significant financial losses for traders.
Traffic congestion at the time stretched from Dambai through Krachi to Wulensi, while only one of the two ferries serving the route remained operational.
The latest disruption also brought traffic along sections of the Eastern Corridor Road to a standstill for much of the day, affecting commercial drivers, traders and passengers travelling between Accra, Krachi, Wulensi, and other parts of northern Ghana.
Community leaders and regular users of the crossing described the situation as unsustainable, considering the strategic importance of the pontoon in facilitating movement between southern Ghana and the Oti and Northern Regions pending the completion of the Dambai Bridge.
They have therefore appealed to the government to prioritise the replacement of the aging vessel as an interim measure to ensure the safety of passengers and the uninterrupted movement of goods and services.
The residents also called on Volta Lake Transport Company Limited to strengthen preventive maintenance measures and improve emergency communication systems to keep passengers adequately informed during operational challenges.
While acknowledging the steady progress of work on the Dambai Bridge project, residents expressed optimism that the bridge would provide a permanent solution to the longstanding transportation challenges in the area.
They stressed, however, that until the bridge is completed and opened to traffic, safeguarding lives and ensuring reliable transportation across the lake must remain a national priority.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade