Efforts are underway to bring seven fishermen aboard the missing canoe Second Chance back to Ghana after they were located in Togolese waters, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has disclosed.
The development provides a breakthrough in the search for the crew, whose whereabouts had remained unknown for days after their canoe failed to return from a fishing expedition.
Speaking to Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Wednesday, October 21, Mr Nelson said Ghanaian authorities had established contact with the fishermen and were coordinating with their Togolese counterparts to facilitate their safe return.
“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 added that the Togolese Navy had been notified to support efforts to bring the men home safely.
“The Togo Navy has also been informed. Efforts are still underway to see how they can get them safely home,” he said.
The canoe’s disappearance was reported to the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on Sunday, October 18, by its owner, Nana Kweku Atta.
According to the report, the Second Chance left Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for a fishing expedition off Axim but did not return as expected.
Initial attempts to contact the crew proved unsuccessful, prompting concerns about their safety and the possibility that the canoe had encountered difficulties at sea.
A subsequent update suggested that the canoe might have suffered engine failure, causing it to drift away from its fishing grounds towards Tema and the Volta coast.
A search and rescue operation was launched on Monday, October 19, under the coordination of the Western Regional Marine Police Command.
The operation involved the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, coastal police stations and fishing communities.
With the crew now located in Togolese waters, attention has shifted to coordinating their safe return through cooperation between the Ghanaian and Togolese authorities.
Authorities have yet to provide further details on the condition of the fishermen or the circumstances that led to their presence in Togolese waters.
