Seven Ghanaian fishermen arrive at Tema following multinational rescue mission

Seven fishermen from Sekondi have safely arrived at the Tema Naval Command after a harrowing 12-day ordeal at sea. Their canoe, named "Second Chance," suffered total engine failure shortly after departing from the Sekondi Fishing Harbour for a fishing expedition on October 9, 2026. After losing power, the crew drifted through Togolese waters before eventually being located in the territorial waters of Benin.

The operation to find the missing men was a coordinated multinational effort involving the navies of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, as well as the Ghana Police Service's Marine Police. Following a distress alert issued by the Fisheries Commission on October 20, the Ghana Navy deployed three ships and conducted extensive aerial patrols to locate the drifting vessel. The crew members, identified as Kwesi Emmanuel, Uncle Amoah, Kwamena Nkum, Kofi Aboagye, Doboa, Agya Badu, and Kwamena Akyem, were confirmed safe on October 21.

Upon their rescue, the fishermen received immediate medical attention, food, and water from Beninese authorities before being repatriated to Ghana. On October 22, the group arrived at the Tema Fishing Harbour, where they were met by naval officers and representatives from the Fisheries Ministry. The men underwent further medical screenings and were provided with basic essentials and relief items to assist with their recovery after nearly two weeks of being stranded at sea.

While the rescue was successful, maritime authorities noted that the operation highlighted significant challenges regarding equipment and communication gaps in regional naval responses. In response to the incident, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has reaffirmed its commitment to improving maritime safety. The Fisheries Commission is now exploring the implementation of affordable distress-tracking devices for small fishing vessels to enhance emergency response systems and prevent similar occurrences in the future.