By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, Oct. 25, GNA — The Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen (GNAFF) has commended Ghana, Togo, Benin and the ECOWAS maritime framework for their roles in rescuing seven Ghanaian fishermen who were stranded at sea and safely returned to Ghana on October 22.
In a press release dated October 24, GNAFF said the fishermen, who departed from Sekondi, went missing after the outboard engine of their canoe, Second Chance, stopped abruptly.
The association said engine failure, coupled with strong ocean winds, made it difficult for the fishermen to steer the canoe, which drifted approximately 120 nautical miles from Axim into Togolese and Beninese territorial waters.
According to the statement signed by Reverend Dr Israel Kuadzi, Deputy General Secretary of GNAFF, the association’s Western Regional Steering Committee alerted the national secretariat to the incident on October 9.
The canoe’s owner subsequently reported the fishermen missing on October 18, following distress calls from the stranded crew.
GNAFF said local artisanal fishermen found the seven men alive in Beninese waters near Grand-Popo.
It said a coordinated search and rescue operation involving the Ghana Air Force, Ghana Navy, Togolese Navy, Beninese Navy and the regional ECOWAS maritime framework secured their safe return to Ghana on October 22.
The association expressed gratitude to the canoe’s owner, local fishermen in Benin and the participating security and maritime agencies for their roles in the rescue.
It said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen safety measures for artisanal fishermen, particularly those operating far from shore.
GNAFF said it remained committed to working with state institutions, private organisations and regional bodies to promote the use of mandatory safety equipment, GPS and tracking technology, coordinated regional patrols, cross-border intelligence-sharing and emergency distress channels.
It said such measures would help safeguard fishermen while they were at sea.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo