Seven Ghanaian fishermen who went missing during a fishing expedition off the coast of Axim have been found alive in the territorial waters of Benin, following a rescue by local fishermen.
The Western Regional Marine Police Command said the men were rescued at about 2200 hours on Wednesday, October 21, three days after their disappearance was reported to the police.
The rescued fishermen are Kofi Emmanuel, 32; Uncle Amoah, 45; Kwamena Nkum, 29; Kofi Aboagye, 36; Doboa, 35; Agya Badu, 42; and Kwamena Akyem, 40.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, the Command said arrangements were underway to facilitate their safe return to Ghana.
The Marine Police, the Ghana Navy and security counterparts in Benin and Togo are collaborating to complete the repatriation process.
The incident was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, by the owner of the fishing canoe, Nana Kweku Atta.
According to the police, Mr Atta told investigators that the canoe had left the Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for a fishing expedition offshore Axim but failed to return as expected.
Preliminary investigations revealed that attempts to contact the crew members had been unsuccessful, raising concerns about their whereabouts and prompting the owner to report the matter to the police.
The circumstances that led the fishermen into Benin’s territorial waters have not been disclosed.
