By: Daniel Yao Akpabli | ignewss – Sekondi, Ghana
The development, reported on Wednesday, October 21, comes as the Western Regional Marine Police Command coordinates a search for the missing canoe and its crew following concerns that the vessel may have suffered engine failure during a fishing expedition.
According to the latest report, the crew members have established contact and indicated that they are well. However, their reported shortage of food has heightened concerns about their welfare as efforts continue to establish their precise location and facilitate their recovery.
It remains unclear where the canoe is currently located or whether rescue teams have reached the crew.
Canoe failed to return from fishing expedition.
In a statement dated October 20, 2026, and signed by Chief Superintendent Olivia Ette Aduku, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, the Western Regional Police Command said it was working with relevant maritime and fisheries agencies to locate the missing vessel and its occupants.
The canoe’s owner, Nana Kweku Atta, reportedly lodged a complaint at the Fishing Harbour Police Station in Sekondi on October 18 after the vessel failed to return from a fishing expedition.
According to the police, the canoe departed the Sekondi Fishing Harbour on October 9 for fishing activities off the coast of Axim but had not returned by the time the complaint was made.
Preliminary investigations indicated that repeated attempts to contact the crew had initially proved unsuccessful, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to determine their whereabouts.
A subsequent update suggested that the canoe might have developed engine problems and drifted towards Tema and the Volta coast. Its last known position, however, had yet to be confirmed.
Maritime agencies coordinate search.
The Western Regional Police Command said it was collaborating with the Ghana Navy, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission and fishing communities to establish the vessel’s location and secure the crew’s safe return.
The Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command, relevant coastal police stations and chief fishermen have also been alerted to support the search.
The reported contact with the crew represents a potentially significant development in the search operation, although authorities are yet to confirm publicly the precise location of the canoe or whether a rescue has been completed.
Fishing communities along the coast have been urged to report any sightings of the vessel or information that could assist the operation to the nearest police station.
With the crew reportedly running out of food, locating the canoe and delivering assistance remain urgent priorities.
However, the situation remains developing and confirmation from the relevant authorities on the crew’s location and rescue status is awaited.
Inside Ghana News Service – www.ignewss.com (IGNEWSS) is following the development and shall bring readers up to speed with new findings
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com