Ghana Navy has successfully rescued seven Ghanaian fishermen who went missing at sea on Friday 9 October 2026, during a fishing expedition south of Axim in the Western Region. The fishermen, who departed Sekondi aboard a canoe named “Second Chance”, were stranded after an outboard motor failure caused the vessel to drift eastward towards Togo and eventually into Benin’s waters. Their rescue followed a coordinated national and multinational search-and-rescue operation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Tema on Thursday 22 October 2026 on behalf of the Ghana Navy, the Director NavalOperations at the Naval Headquarters, Naval Captain Festus Osei-Brobbey, noted that the Ghana Navy received a distress alert from the Fisheries Commission on Tuesday 20 October 2026, after the canoe failed to return. Based on the vessel’s last known position, the Navy deployed three ships for the search operation.
The Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron, working in close collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, also conducted maritime air patrols to support the naval assets at sea. The operation involved the Ghana Maritime Authority, Marine Police Unit, National Security Secretariat, Togolese Navy, Beninese Navy and regional maritime coordination centres.
At approximately 2236 hours GMT (1036pm) on Wednesday 21 October 2026, the Beninese Navy informed the Ghana Navy that the seven fishermen had been located and rescued through a joint effort involving the Beninese Navy, Togolese Navy and a local Beninese fishermen’s association. Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) AFLAO, commanded by the Acting Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Isaac Abban, received the rescued fishermen from Togo Navy Ship OTI off the Ghana–Togo maritime border. The fishermen received an initial medical assessment onboard, provided with food and care, and arrived safely at the Tema Fishing Harbour.
Naval Captain Osei-Brobbey said the operation underscored the need for improved communication systems, distress-signalling equipment on fishing vessels, enhanced night-vision capability and sustained investment in maritime surveillance. He also reaffirmed the importance of inter-agency collaboration and international cooperation in responding to maritime emergencies.
The Ghana Navy expressed appreciation to all national and regional partners whose timely interventions contributed to the successful rescue, and assured fishing communities of its continued commitment to maritime safety. He urged fishermen to remain vigilant and report incidents promptly to enable early response.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, the Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Headquarters, Commodore Ben Baba Abdul presented relief items to the fishermen on their arrival at Tema, which was fully sponsored by the Ghana Navy.The items included food , toiletries, life jackets and clothing.
Story by Sarah Ofori Dei Appiah
Pictures by AB1 Nkansah Gabriel
