Fifty-nine Ghanaian fishermen have returned safely to shore following a violent armed robbery at sea that occurred off the coast of the Central Region.
The incident, which took place approximately 35 nautical miles offshore, involved a coordinated midnight attack by unidentified assailants operating what survivors described as a mysterious “black boat.”
The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, confirmed the development during an interview on The Pulse. She stated that although the victims were traumatised and stripped of their equipment, no lives were lost thanks to a swift and coordinated response from security agencies.
According to the MP, the attackers targeted the fishermen’s outboard motors and generator sets before fleeing the scene. She noted that investigations are ongoing and declined to disclose details about the suspected attackers due to the sensitivity of the active Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe.
The fishermen were operating in seven canoes when the attack occurred during a routine night fishing expedition on Wednesday, 25 February 2026. As they moved toward the Nyanyano side of the coast, armed men intercepted them in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses described how the attackers fired warning shots into the air before boarding the vessels at gunpoint.
The pirates focused on valuable equipment, successfully stealing seven outboard motors, generator sets, and other personal belongings. The theft left the boats disabled and drifting in open waters.
Authorities later confirmed that 59 fishermen were affected in total. Four of the boats managed to reach Senya Beraku, two travelled toward Tema, and one was traced to Chorkor in Accra. Officials are still gathering information about the vessel that landed in Chorkor.
At the landing site in Senya Beraku, personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Criminal Investigation Department were present to document the incident and provide support to the survivors.
Despite the intensity of the attack, the MP reassured families that the fishermen were physically safe. Before being reunited with relatives, all 59 men underwent health screenings to assess their condition following the ordeal.
Officials confirmed that the victims received temporary support and medical attention before being cleared to return home. Authorities described the rescue effort as successful, emphasising that no fatalities were recorded.
The incident has renewed concerns about maritime security along Ghana’s coastline, particularly in the Central Region, where artisanal fishermen increasingly face risks beyond the immediate shoreline. Stakeholders are calling for enhanced naval patrols and stronger surveillance measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Security agencies have launched investigations to identify the perpetrators behind the “black boat” attack, while efforts continue to strengthen coastal protection and safeguard the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
