Seven Ghanaian fishermen found in Benin waters after 12 days missing

Seven Ghanaian fishermen who went missing after embarking on a fishing expedition offshore Axim have been rescued in the territorial waters of Benin, the Western Regional Marine Police Command has announced.

The fishermen were rescued by local fishermen at about 10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, three days after their disappearance was reported to the police.

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, the Marine Police 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.

According to the police, arrangements are underway to facilitate their safe return to Ghana, with the Marine Police, Ghana Navy and their counterparts in Benin and Togo coordinating efforts to complete the repatriation process.

The incident was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, by the owner of the canoe, Nana Kweku Atta.

Police investigations indicate that the canoe departed the Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for a fishing expedition offshore Axim but failed to return as expected.

Preliminary investigations further revealed that repeated attempts to contact the seven crew members were unsuccessful, prompting the canoe owner to report the matter to the police.

The circumstances that led the fishermen to end up in Benin’s territorial waters have not yet been established.