The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has handed over ten thousand pieces of harvested tree stumps from the Oti River to the Paramount Chief of "Chonke" Traditional Area in the Krachi Nchumuru District of the Oti Region.

Mr Daniel Appianin, Deputy Director-General of Operation and Technical Unit said, the Ghana Maritime Authority is mandated to ensure the safety of navigation both at sea and inland waterways.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the Authority, he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that, it's important to be giving the woods with economic value to the overlords and his communities

He assured that the GMA will continue to play its role in making sure that the River Oti is navigable and safe for boat operators and other users to ply their trade.

The beneficiary communities were Dambai-Njari (18km), Tumpunjah island-Kudorkope Yeji-Makango (5km) and Kudorkope-Dambai Yeji-Awujakope (7km).

Mr Patrick Chartey Jilima, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Krachi East said, the biggest problem facing sailors and boat operators on river Oti was the numerous boat accidents.

He said many young men and women who were breadwinners of their families lost their lives on River Oti.

He was grateful to the Ghana Maritime Authority which is under the Ministry of Transport for removing the navigation channel to reduce the number of boat accidents in the Area.

Daasebre Kwame Attamafowiese Bonja II, Paramount Chief of Chonke Traditional Area, on behalf of Traditional leaders and stakeholders expressed his gratitude to the Ghana GMA and the government for creating a safe channel on the RIver for navigation.

Daasebre Bonja, cautioned boat operators to avoid overloading and speeding and observe safety precautions.