By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, Oct. 22, GNA – The successful rescue of seven Ghanaian fishers who went missing at sea should prompt stronger maritime safety measures, improved emergency communication and closer regional cooperation, Mr Kyei Kwadwo Yamoah, Convenor of the Fisheries Alliance, has said.
Mr Yamoah stated that the incident highlighted the importance of fisherfolk solidarity and community leadership in supporting search-and-rescue efforts, particularly when fishing canoes drift into waters of neighbouring countries.
The seven-member crew of the fishing canoe ‘Second Chance’ departed Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9, 2026, for a fishing expedition offshore Axim in the Western Region but failed to return, raising concerns among their families and the fishing community.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture subsequently announced that the seven fishers had been rescued through a coordinated operation involving the navies of Ghana, Togo and Benin.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Yamoah said Ghanaian fisherfolk leaders had helped coordinate local support for the rescue effort by working with their counterparts in Benin to mobilise fishing-community networks and strengthened communication.
He noted that the involvement of fisherfolk leaders demonstrated the value of community relationships and fishers’ practical knowledge of fishing routes, marine situations and canoe movements.
“For artisanal fishing communities, these networks can help circulate information, alert other fishers and support efforts to locate missing vessels, particularly when they drift into the waters of neighbouring countries,” he said.
Mr Yamoah said fishing communities should be recognized as partners in maritime emergency response alongside formal institutions, including the navy, marine police and maritime authorities.
Mr Yamoah noted that the incident also exposed the risks confronting Ghana’s small-scale fishing sector, including engine failure, inadequate emergency communication, limited safety equipment and difficulties establishing the location of vessels in distress.
“For artisanal fishers, an engine problem can become particularly dangerous when a canoe drifts far from shore and the crew cannot communicate their position or obtain assistance,” he said.
He said preventive measures, including regular engine maintenance, the use of life jackets, reliable communication equipment, survival supplies and practical safety training, were essential to protecting fishing crews.
Mr Yamoah noted that Ghana’s fisheries sector supported livelihoods, employment, food security and the economic wellbeing of coastal communities, making the protection of fishers a shared responsibility of government institutions, fishing organisations, civil society and regional partners
Mr Yamoah stressed that the lasting value of the rescue would depend on whether it led to improved communication, stronger regional cooperation, and practical measures to protect people who went to the sea. to earn a living.
GNA
Edited by Bertha Badu-Agyei/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo. GNA
Email address: [email protected], gh