Tema:Seven Ghanaian fishermen who were missing at sea for 12 days have safely returned to the Tema Fishing Harbour. Their return follows a multinational search-and-rescue operation involving Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
According to Ghana News Agency, the fishermen, identified as Kwesi Emmanuel, Kwabena Awin, Uncle Amoah, Kwamena Konfo, Kwabena Ekum, Kwame Abeido, and Kwamena Akyin, were rescued in Benin's territorial waters after their canoe, 'Second Chance,' suffered an engine breakdown. The crew had departed Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9, 2026, intending to fish near Axim in the Western Region, but did not return as scheduled.
The disappearance was reported to the police on October 18, 2026, after repeated failed attempts to contact the crew. The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), along with the Ghana Navy, employed their Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) Unit to establish communication with the drifting crew. Contact was made on October 21, allowing for real-time information sharing with Togo and Benin navies.
Rescue efforts culminated in the Benin Navy and a local fishermen's association locating and rescuing the fishers at 2236 hours. They were subsequently handed over to the Togolese Navy and then transferred to the Ghana Navy off Aflao. The Ghana Navy vessel GNS Aflao transported them back to Tema.
The GMA has provided accommodation for the rescued fishers, and the Ghana Armed Forces have supplied relief items. The crew is slated for medical screening before they return to Sekondi. The operation highlighted the significance of regional cooperation and real-time information sharing in maritime emergencies. The GMA is considering the implementation of safety transponders and location-transmitting devices on artisanal fishing canoes to improve future maritime safety efforts.