Residents and commuters in the Oti Region are urging the government to urgently replace the Ndewura Jakpa pontoon operating on the Volta Lake at Dambai, citing repeated breakdowns that endanger lives. This comes even as construction of the much-anticipated Dambai Bridge progresses.
The latest incident occurred on 28th May 2026, when the Ndewura Jakpa which ferries commercial and private vehicles across the Oti River broke down mid-crossing. The pontoon became stranded in the middle of the river, sparking fear and panic among passengers and drivers. Initial efforts by local authorities to manage the situation failed, and it took the intervention of Ghana Navy personnel with two boats several hours to tow the vessel to safety.
Passengers decried poor communication and unprofessional handling during the ordeal. “All of a sudden, we realised the pontoon was no longer moving and became stagnant. There was no information from the crew to the passengers, making the situation worse and terrible,” one passenger recounted. The incident occurred amid poor weather, heightening anxiety among those on board.
Commuters say the May 28 incident is not an isolated incident. Frequent mechanical failures of the Ndewura Jakpa have made crossing the stretch increasingly risky and unpredictable. Volta Lake Transport Limited, operators of the pontoon, have faced criticism for poor maintenance and a lack of passenger communication during emergencies.
Documented Examples of Past Breakdowns and Their Impact:
Recounting the frequent breakdowns, Sunday, 16th February 2025, the pontoon broke down around 9:00am, leaving hundreds of passengers and vehicles stranded on both banks of the river. Because it was a market day, the disruption was severe. Traders transporting yams and other perishable goods to Accra were stuck for hours in the sun, leading to significant spoilage and financial losses.
The impact was so severe that heavy traffic congestion built up from Dambai through to Krachi and Wulensi. Vehicles traveling from Accra to cross to the northern parts of Oti were also stuck. At the time, Dambai Central Assemblyman Charles Awuranyi noted that only one of two ferries was operational while the second one had been out of service for a period of time.
28th May 2026 – Mid-River Failure
The pontoon stalled mid-river with vehicles and passengers onboard. With no updates from crew, panic spread as the vessel drifted. Ghana Navy personnel eventually towed it to shore after several hours.
Travel along the Eastern Corridor Road was halted for most of the day. Commercial drivers missed delivery schedules, and passengers connecting to Accra, Krachi, and Wulensi faced overnight delays. The incident renewed public fear about crossing the lake, especially during bad weather.
Residents’ Demands
Passengers argue that the current state of the pontoon shows a disregard for human life. “They behave as if our lives don’t matter, and most of the time they feel they are doing us a favour,” one frustrated commuter said.
While residents acknowledge that work has commenced on the Dambai Bridge project, they insist that interim safety measures are non-negotiable. “Even though work has commenced on the Dambai bridge project… our lives matter,” they stressed.
They are therefore calling on the government as a matter of urgency to replace the aging Ndewura Jakpa_ pontoon immediately to prevent a disaster.
They have also asked that Volta Lake Transport Limited to institute regular, preventive maintenance of all ferries on the Volta Lake and improve emergency communication protocols for passengers.
Until the bridge is completed, the Dambai crossing remains a critical link for trade and transport between southern Ghana and the Oti/Northern Regions. Residents say the current situation is unsustainable and economically damaging.
Source: Oti Radio, 101.5 Fm