The seven Ghanaian fishermen who went missing after their canoe failed to return from a fishing expedition off Axim have been located in Togolese waters, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has announced.
Mr Nelson said authorities had established contact with the crew of the fishing canoe, Second Chance, and were working with their Togolese counterparts to secure their safe return to Ghana.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the minister said he had received a briefing confirming the fishermen’s location.
“This afternoon, I had a briefing that some contact has been established with the crew and that their location is within Togolese waters,” he said.
He added that the Togolese Navy had been informed and efforts were continuing to bring the men home safely.
“The Togo Navy has also been informed. Efforts are still underway to see how they can get them safely home,” Mr Nelson said.
The development follows a search-and-rescue operation launched on October 19 after the canoe’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta, reported its disappearance to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on October 18.
According to the report, Second Chance departed Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9 for a fishing expedition off Axim but failed to return as expected.
Preliminary information suggested that the canoe may have suffered engine failure at sea, causing it to drift away from its intended fishing grounds.
The search involved the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, Marine Police and fishing communities along the coast.
Although the fishermen have now been located, authorities are still working to facilitate their safe return. The minister’s announcement did not confirm that the crew had been rescued or had arrived safely in Ghana.
The operation remains focused on bringing all seven men home.
