Seven Ghanaian fishermen who went missing during a fishing expedition offshore Axim have been rescued in Benin’s territorial waters, according to the Western Regional Marine Police Command.
The fishermen were found by local fishermen on Wednesday, October 21, at about 10 p.m., three days after their disappearance was reported to the police.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, the Command identified the rescued men as Kofi Emmanuel, 32; Uncle Amoah, 45; Kwamena Nkum, 29; Kofi Aboagye, 36; Doboa, 35; Agya Badu, 42; and Kwamena Akyem, 40.
The police said they were making arrangements to bring them safely back to Ghana. The Marine Police, Ghana Navy and security counterparts in Benin and Togo are coordinating efforts to complete their return.
The incident was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, by the canoe’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta.
According to the police, Atta told investigators that the canoe left the Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for a fishing expedition offshore Axim but did not return as expected.
Preliminary investigations showed that repeated attempts to contact the seven crew members had failed, raising concerns about their whereabouts and prompting the owner to report the matter to the police.
Their rescue in Benin’s territorial waters has since led to coordination among authorities in the three countries to facilitate their safe return to Ghana.
Read the statement below:
