| dc.description.abstract | Boat accidents have become a matter of public concern during recent times as a result of its frequency in recording high fatalities on the Volta Lake of Ghana. This study sought to find out the main causes of this frequent event and to identify the various ways it affects life in totality. Besides, the paper tries to investigate efforts by some institutions including government to curb the situation and also to discuss relevant interventions in matters relating to the various forms of boat accidents on the lake. A case study approach was therefore adopted; leading to the choice of Abotoase in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region as the study area. The main approach to the study was qualitative where different data collection techniques were used to gather relevant information for the study. Major concepts such as accidents, governance and risk culture/behaviour were considered in explaining the findings. A theoretical framework of accidents was adapted and modified after Rick Curtis (1995) to explain the interrelationship among the two categories of factors (natural/environmental and human-induced) and how they work to cause accidents. The findings indicated that, although there are numerous causes of boat accidents on the Volta Lake, most of the factors have not been critically considered by stakeholders except for a few that have been highlighted several times by the media. Poor governance and indiscipline were noted as the basic underlying factors influencing the number of accidents on the lake. However, a major factor that has posed a lot of challenges to all stakeholders of the boat transport industry is the numerous tree stumps standing in the lake. This of course is a natural/environmental factor that has received a lot of attention in recent times because it has been responsible for the greater number of accidents in the past. It has also been found that, the accidents affect individuals directly, the communities in which they live and the nation at large. The study concludes among other things that, absence of an alternative means of transport, bad governance, lack of enforcement of rules and indiscipline among the participants in the boat transport industry; besides the submerged tree stumps in the lake are the major influencing factors of boat accidents on the lake. In addition, the study found that although some effort was made by government to improve the situation, there are more recommendations to be considered for a better future of the industry. | nb_NO |
