Seven Ghanaian fishermen who disappeared during a fishing expedition off the coast of Axim have been rescued in Benin’s territorial waters, following an intervention by local fishermen, as security agencies across three West African countries coordinate efforts to facilitate their safe repatriation.
The Western Regional Marine Police Command confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, bringing a measure of relief after several days of uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of the missing crew members.
The fishermen reportedly departed the Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, aboard a fishing canoe for an expedition offshore Axim in the Western Region. However, their failure to return as anticipated triggered concerns about their safety.
According to the Marine Police Command, the canoe’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta, lodged a formal complaint at the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, after repeated attempts to establish contact with the crew proved unsuccessful.
Preliminary investigations indicated that persistent efforts to reach the fishermen by telephone yielded no response, deepening uncertainty about their whereabouts and prompting police intervention.
The seven crew members were eventually rescued by local fishermen in Benin’s territorial waters at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, three days after their disappearance was formally reported to the police.
The rescued fishermen have been identified as Kofi Emmanuel, 32; Uncle Amoah, 45; Kwamena Nkum, 29; Kofi Aboagye, 36; Doboa, 35; Agya Badu, 42; and Kwamena Akyem, 40.
Ghana, Benin and Togo Intensify Coordination for Safe Return
The Western Regional Marine Police Command disclosed that arrangements were underway to facilitate the fishermen’s safe return to Ghana, with the Marine Police, the Ghana Navy and their security counterparts in Benin and Togo collaborating to complete the repatriation process.
The trilateral security coordination is expected to facilitate the necessary arrangements for the crew members’ return, although the authorities have yet to announce a definitive timeline for their arrival in Ghana.
Meanwhile, the circumstances that led to the fishing canoe and its occupants ending up in Benin’s territorial waters remain undisclosed.
The Marine Police statement did not provide further details regarding the events that transpired during the expedition, the condition of the fishermen following their rescue or the factors that may have contributed to their disappearance.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the inherent hazards associated with fishing expeditions at sea, where prolonged communication breakdowns can complicate search efforts and heighten anxiety among the families of missing crew members.
With the fishermen now rescued, attention has shifted to the completion of cross-border arrangements to ensure their safe return and to establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.