Seven Ghanaian fishermen who had been missing at sea for nearly two weeks have been rescued through a coordinated multinational search-and-rescue operation involving the navies of Ghana, Togo and Benin.
The fishermen, who departed on a fishing expedition from Sekondi to Axim in the Western Region aboard a canoe named Second Chance, went missing after their outboard motor developed a fault, leaving them stranded at sea and vulnerable to prevailing winds and ocean currents.
According to the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), the disabled canoe drifted eastward through international maritime zones and eventually into Benin waters.
The rescue followed a distress alert issued by the Ghana Navy and the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC-E) on October 21, 2026. In response, the Togolese Navy deployed its patrol vessel OTI, which located the distressed fishing boat about three nautical miles off Grand-Popo in Beninese waters.
A combined rescue effort involving the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, the Togo Navy, the Benin Navy, regional maritime coordination centres including CRESMAO, MMCC Zones E and F, and Navy Maritime Operations Centres, led to the successful recovery of the fishermen.
The GMA said the fishermen were located and rescued at about 10:36 p.m. Ghana time on Wednesday, October 21, by a joint team made up of the Benin Navy and a local fishermen’s association in Benin.
The rescued crew were subsequently handed over to the Togo Navy at 11:11 p.m. before being transferred to the Ghana Navy off Aflao at 6:49 GMT on Thursday, October 22.
The fishermen are currently aboard the Ghana Navy vessel GNS AFLAO, which is transporting them safely to the Tema Fishing Harbour while towing the recovered canoe.
In a statement, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture welcomed the successful rescue and commended the navies of Ghana, Togo and Benin for their swift response and effective regional collaboration.
The Ministry described the operation as a testament to the importance of maritime cooperation in safeguarding lives at sea and reiterated that safety remains a top priority within the fisheries sector.
It further urged fishers to check weather conditions before departure, wear life jackets, carry reliable communication equipment and strictly adhere to maritime safety advisories.
“No fishing expedition is worth a human life. Every fisher must take responsibility for safety at sea, and every effort must be made to ensure their safe return home,” the Ministry stated.
The successful operation underscores the growing effectiveness of regional maritime security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea and highlights the critical role of coordinated emergency response mechanisms in protecting seafarers and fishing communities.