By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, Oct. 22, GNA — Seven Ghanaian fishers who went missing at sea for 12 days have safely returned to the Tema Fishing Harbour following a multinational search-and-rescue operation involving Ghana, Togo and Benin.
The fishers, identified as Kwesi Emmanuel, 30, of Winneba; Kwabena Awin, 20; Uncle Amoah, 24; Kwamena Konfo, 25; Kwabena Ekum, 35; Kwame Abeido, 24; and Kwamena Akyin, 38, all from Moree in the Central Region, were rescued in Benin’s territorial waters after their canoe, “Second Chance”, suffered an engine breakdown.
According to a joint information released by the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Ghana Navy, the crew departed Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9, 2026, for a fishing expedition towards Axim in the Western Region but failed to return.
The canoe owner subsequently reported their disappearance to the police on October 18, 2026, after repeated attempts to contact the crew proved unsuccessful.
The GMA said its Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) Unit, working with the Ghana Navy, the National Signals Bureau, the Marine Police and the canoe owner, established contact with the drifting crew at about 1000 hours on Wednesday, October 21.
Communication continued until 2127 hours, allowing control centres to gather positioning data and share real-time information with the navies of Togo and Benin through the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres for Zones E and F.
The fishers were located and rescued at about 2236 hours by the Benin Navy and a local Beninese fishermen’s association.
They were handed over to the Togolese Navy at 2311 hours before being transferred to the Ghana Navy off Aflao at 0649 hours on Thursday, October 22.
The crew and their recovered canoe were subsequently transported to Tema Fishing Harbour aboard the Ghana Navy vessel GNS Aflao.
The GMA said it was providing accommodation for the rescued fishers, while the Ghana Armed Forces had supplied relief items, including food and life jackets. The crew were expected to undergo medical screening before returning to Sekondi.
The operation involved the navies of Ghana, Togo and Benin, regional maritime coordination centres, naval maritime operations centres and local fishing communities.
The GMA said the successful rescue demonstrated the importance of real-time information sharing and regional cooperation in responding to maritime emergencies that extend beyond national boundaries.
It also acknowledged the contribution of Beninese fishermen, whose involvement alongside naval forces highlighted the potential role of artisanal fishing communities in maritime safety networks.
As part of measures to strengthen preparedness, the GMA, the Ghana Navy and the Fisheries Commission are to explore the mandatory adoption and deployment of safety transponders and location-transmitting devices on artisanal fishing canoes.
The proposed devices are expected to improve vessel tracking and help authorities locate canoes that drift off course or encounter emergencies at sea.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Email address: [email protected]