Ghana Maritime Authority Confirms Rescue of Seven Missing Fishermen

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has announced the successful rescue of seven Ghanaian fishermen who had been missing since October 9, 2026, following a coordinated multinational search-and-rescue operation across the Gulf of Guinea.

According to the Authority, the fishermen departed Sekondi for a fishing expedition to Axim aboard the canoe Second Chance. An outboard motor breakdown, however, left the crew at the mercy of winds and sea currents, causing the canoe to drift eastward through international maritime zones into Benin waters.

The GMA said the rescue was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, the Togo Navy, the Benin Navy and regional Maritime Coordinating Centres, including CRESMAO, MMCC Zone F, MMCC Zone E and Navy MOCs.

The fishermen were located and rescued by a combined team of the Benin Navy and a local Benin fishermen association at about 10:36 p.m. Ghana time on Wednesday.

“They were subsequently handed over to the Togo Navy at 11:11 p.m. and later transferred to the Ghana Navy off Aflao at 06:49 GMT on Thursday,” it added.

The Authority said the rescued fishermen are currently aboard the GNS AFLAO, which is en route to the Tema Fishing Harbour while towing the retrieved canoe.

Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD