Fishermen missing since October 9 located in Togo’s waters – Western Regional Minister

Seven crew members of the fishing canoe "Second Chance" that went missing off Axim have been located in Togo's territorial waters, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson announced on October 21. Nelson informed Citi FM's Eyewitness News that authorities have established contact with the crew and are collaborating with their Togolese counterparts to return them home.

He revealed that the Togo Navy was notified and ongoing efforts are being made to ensure their safe return. The crew's disappearance was reported late on Sunday, October 18, when Nana Kweku Atta, the canoe's owner, informed the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi. Atta disclosed that the canoe had departed from Sekondi Fishing Harbour on Friday, October 9, for a fishing expedition offshore Axim but did not return as scheduled.

Police had attempted numerous times to reach the crew without success. Subsequent information suggested that the canoe might have lost its engine at sea and drifted towards Tema and the Volta coast. The search is being coordinated by the Western Regional Marine Police Command, working alongside the Ghana Navy, the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Fisheries Commission, coastal police stations, and fishing communities.