By Adnan Adams Mohammed
A wave of panic has hit the fishing community following reports of a violent armed robbery attack on several canoes at sea last night.
According to a brief from the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), the attackers targeted fishing vessels operating in the territorial waters, forcefully seizing vital equipment at gunpoint.
The Attack and Losses
Initial reports indicate that the pirates focused their efforts on high-value machinery, successfully making away with 10 outboard motors (40 HP). The robbery affected a total of 10 canoes across two major fishing hubs:
Senya Breku: Seven (7) canoes were attacked and stripped of their motors.
Tema: Three (3) canoes were involved in the encounter.
The loss of 40 HP motors represents a significant financial blow to the owners and a total disruption of the livelihoods of the crews involved.
Rescue and Emergency Response
In the early hours of this dawn, the fishing community at Senya Breku took swift action to assist their stranded colleagues. Three (3) canoes were dispatched with spare outboard motors to the coordinates of the attack to facilitate a rescue and tow the disabled vessels back to shore.
Official channels have been notified to track the perpetrators and secure the waters. CaFGOAG confirmed that the following bodies are currently following up on the incident:
The Central Region Fisheries Commission (FC).
The Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU).
The Ghana Navy.
Rising Security Concerns
This latest incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of artisanal fishers to maritime crime. Fishermen are calling for increased naval patrols, particularly during the night, to protect their equipment and lives.
The Ghana Navy and the FEU are expected to provide further updates as their investigation into the location and identity of the pirates continues.
