Ghana

Pontoon breaks down while in transit on Volta Lake; passengers left stranded

Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7:09 AM by Priscilla Aklorbortu

- A pontoon that usually carries people, goods and vehicles across the Volta Lake broke down while in transit

- This left several passengers stranded

- On Monday, February 15 around 4:30 pm, a storm caused the ferry to lose its direction while sailing, causing the engine to break down

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News reaching YEN.com.gh revealed that a pontoon that usually carries people, goods, and vehicles across the Volta Lake broke down while in transit.

This left several passengers stranded for hours.

According to a report filed by Pulse.com.gh, the pontoon developed an engine fault at Ekye Amanfrom in the Kwahu Affram Plains South district.

Pontoon breaks down while in transit on Volta Lake; passengers left stranded Credit: pulse.com.gh
Source: UGC

Confirming the incident, the Spokesperson of the National Cargo Drivers Association, Dickson Agyei Donkor said around 4:30 pm on Monday, February 15, a storm caused the ferry to lose its direction while sailing.

In the process, the last engine the ferry had been running on after the other broke down over six months ago, also broke down.

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“The pontoon has two engines. One is already spoilt. We have constantly complained about it,” Mr. Agyei Donkor said, as quoted by Joy News.

Reports suggest another vessel from Akosombo has been dispatched to help transport the stranded passengers.

The stranded passengers aboard the ferry before it broke down were reportedly rescued by local fishermen and boat owners with canoes operating on outboard motors

In other news, the National Drivers Association of Ghana has announced that transport fares to anywhere across the country will be increased by 10% from February 22, 2021.

The association wants all of its members to abide by the directive from the said date.

The increment of the fare is influenced by the increasing service charges and some taxes at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority(DVLA) and the ports.

The association has called on Ghanaians to comply with the introduction of the new fares and desist from picking fights with the transport owners when the fare is mentioned.