Seven Ghanaian fishermen who disappeared during a fishing trip near Axim have been located in Benin’s territorial waters, according to the Western Regional Marine Police Command.
The crew members were found by local fishermen on Wednesday, October 21, around 10 p.m., following a search prompted by their disappearance.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 22, authorities named 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.
Efforts are ongoing to bring the seven men home safely, with the Ghana Navy, Marine Police and security agencies in Benin and Togo collaborating to facilitate their return.
The matter was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, by canoe owner Nana Kweku Atta.
Police investigations revealed that the vessel had left Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for an expedition off the coast of Axim but did not arrive back as scheduled.
Mr Atta reportedly informed investigators that attempts to reach the crew by phone had failed, raising fears about their safety and prompting him to notify the authorities.
A coordinated search eventually found the fishermen in Benin’s territorial waters, where local crews brought them to safety.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong