The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has spent GH₵87.6 million to remove tree stumps from the Volta Lake, the country’s largest inland waterway.
The project, which aimed to improve safety by reducing waterway accidents caused by tree stumps, was carried out by Kete Krachi Timber Recovery (KKTR) Ltd. between 2019 and 2023.
According to the Auditor General’s performance report on inland water transport safety, 21,265 tree stumps were removed from the lake’s waterways.
The audit, conducted between January and March 2024, assessed five key inland routes: Yeji–Mankango, Yeji–Awujakope, Dambai-Njare, Bridge Ano–Ntoaboma Crossing, and Agordeke. Although 21,268 stumps were identified, three stumps on the Yeji-Mankango route were left due to religious reasons.
The cost of stump removal varied across the years and regions. In 2019, GH₵9.6 million was spent to remove 3,550 stumps from the Yeji-Mankango waterway.
In 2020, the removal of 4,723 stumps from Yeji-Awujakope cost GH₵11.5 million. In the year 2021, GH₵20 million was spent to clear 10,499 stumps from the Dambai-Njare stretch.
The Bridge Ano-Ntoaboma crossing saw 1,179 stumps removed at a cost of GH₵13.1 million in 2022. The highest expenditure came in 2023, with GH₵33.4 million spent to remove 1,317 stumps from the Agordeke area.
Nonetheless, the Auditor General’s report expressed concerns over the value for money, pointing out that some tree stumps remain in critical areas, posing a threat to commuters.
“GMA had not removed tree stumps impeding the safety of navigation on the inland waterways; hence, commuters are at risk of losing their lives or goods from tree stumps yet to be removed,” the report noted.
The Auditor General recommended that the GMA expedite further assessments of the Volta Lake to ensure complete stump removal and improve navigational safety.
Many commuters, particularly those using traditional watercraft, remain vulnerable due to the existence of tree stumps and the lack of advanced navigation technology.
Source:expressnewsghana.com