The Western Regional Police Command has launched a coordinated search operation with key maritime agencies to locate a missing fishing canoe and its seven-member crew after the vessel failed to return from a fishing expedition.
According to a press release issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Western Regional Police Command, the owner of the canoe, Nana Kweku Atta, reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on October 18 that the vessel had departed Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9 to fish beyond the offshore oil fields but had not returned.
The Police said preliminary investigations revealed that repeated attempts to establish contact with the crew had been unsuccessful.
Subsequent information gathered during the investigations suggests that the canoe may have developed an engine fault and drifted towards Tema and the Volta coast. However, authorities indicated that the vessel’s exact location remains unknown.
In response, the Western Regional Police Command, working with the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Fisheries Commission, relevant coastal police stations, chief fishermen and the Eastern Naval Command, has activated a search and recovery operation.
The agencies have been alerted to assist in tracing the canoe and locating the missing crew members.
The Police noted that efforts are currently focused on establishing the canoe’s last known position and tracking its possible movement along the coast.
Fishing communities and residents in coastal areas have also been urged to support the search by reporting any sightings or information relating to the missing canoe to the nearest police station.
The Western Regional Police Command appealed to the public to cooperate with security and maritime authorities to facilitate the swift location of the vessel and its crew.
The statement was signed by Chief Superintendent of Police Olivia Etadiku, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Western Regional Police Command.