Seven crew members of the missing fishing canoe Second Chance have been located in Togolese waters, with Ghanaian authorities working with their Togolese counterparts to secure their return.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson told Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Wednesday, October 21, that contact had been established with the fishermen after days of uncertainty over their whereabouts.
“This afternoon, I had a briefing that some contact has been established with the crew and that their location is within Togolese waters,” he said.
He said the Togo Navy had been informed as efforts continued to bring the seven men home safely.
“The Togo Navy has also been informed. Efforts are still underway to see how they can get them safely home,” he added.
The crew’s disappearance was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, by the canoe’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta.
The canoe had left Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for a fishing expedition off Axim but failed to return as expected.
Police said attempts to reach the crew had been unsuccessful, while a subsequent update suggested the canoe might have suffered engine failure at sea and drifted from its fishing grounds towards Tema and the Volta coast.
A search and rescue operation began on Monday, October 19, with the Western Regional Marine Police Command coordinating efforts involving the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, coastal police stations and fishing communities.
