Senya Bereku (C/R), March 4, 2026 – The Government has provided support to six artisanal canoe owners whose vessels were attacked by armed robbers on the high seas off Senya Bereku in the Central Region.
The attack occurred on February 26, about four kilometres offshore, when armed men fired warning shots before boarding six fishing canoes carrying 71 fishermen. The assailants made away with outboard motors, communication radios and other equipment.
At a brief ceremony in Senya Bereku, the affected canoe owners from Tema, Ada and Senya received brand new outboard motors and GH¢5,000 each to help them resume their fishing activities.
An additional standby outboard motor was presented to the Chief Fisherman of Senya Bereku, Neenyi Mortey, and his executives for emergency use.
Presenting the items on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, said the intervention was intended to restore the livelihoods of the victims after the traumatic incident.
She emphasised the importance of fishermen to the country’s socio-economic development and conveyed the President’s sympathy to those affected.
Madam Arthur also commended Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya West, for her prompt response after the incident was reported, which contributed to the rescue of the 71 crew members, 47 of whom were from her constituency.
She further acknowledged the role played by the Chief Fisherman and community members who assisted in the search and rescue efforts.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of fishermen and improving security along Ghana’s coastline.
She used the occasion to caution fisherfolk against illegal fishing practices such as the use of chemicals, light and unauthorised nets, noting that such activities were punishable under the law.
Madam Arthur also announced plans by the Ministry to roll out a nationwide registration and licensing programme for artisanal fishing vessels by June 2026 to strengthen monitoring of activities on Ghana’s marine waters.
Under the initiative, canoes would be fitted with modern tracking and communication devices to enable fishermen send distress alerts during emergencies at sea.
She said the Ministry was additionally working on an insurance and pension scheme for artisanal fishermen, describing the fisheries sector as vital to Ghana’s food security and nutrition.
Madam Tetteh-Agbotui expressed gratitude to the Government and stakeholders who supported the rescue operation.
She disclosed that psychologists from the military had been deployed to provide counselling services for the 71 fishermen to help them recover from the ordeal and return to their work.
Some of the beneficiaries, in interviews with the Ghana News Agency, thanked the Government for the assistance and appealed for stronger security patrols on the sea to deter future attacks.
Officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, family members of the fishermen, community leaders and security personnel attended the ceremony.
GHBUSS
March 4, 2026
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