The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has confirmed the safe rescue of 71 Ghanaian fishermen who were recently attacked and held at sea by pirates.
In a press statement issued on Friday, February 27, 2026, the Ministry said it had noted “with deep concern” the recent pirate attacks targeting Ghanaian fishermen but was relieved that all the affected fishermen had been rescued safely.
“The Ministry is, however, relieved to confirm the safe rescue of all seventy-one (71) Ghanaian fishermen who were recently attacked and held at sea,” the statement said.
The Ministry commended the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Navy and the Office of the President for what it described as a swift and coordinated response that led to the successful rescue operation.
“We commend the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Navy and the Office of the President for their swift, coordinated and professional response,” it noted.
The statement also acknowledged the role played by the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Hon. Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, whose engagement with affected fishing communities and state institutions was said to have contributed significantly to the success of the rescue mission.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Fishermen’s Safety
The Ministry stressed that government remains firmly committed to protecting Ghanaian fishermen and safeguarding the country’s territorial waters.
It referenced the recently enacted Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), stating that the law strengthens enforcement, monitoring and safety mechanisms within the fisheries sector.
“Government remains firmly committed to protecting Ghanaian fishermen and securing our territorial waters,” the Ministry assured.
As part of ongoing reforms, the Ministry disclosed that additional measures are being implemented to enhance safety at sea. These include improved registration and licensing of fishing canoes, the introduction of GPS tracking and long-range communication systems for artisanal vessels, and the rollout of insurance and pension schemes for fishermen.
Government is also enhancing naval patrol capacity to improve surveillance, deterrence and rapid response to threats on Ghana’s waters.
Call for Vigilance
The Ministry urged fishing communities to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities. “The Ministry urges fishing communities to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities promptly,” the statement said.
Describing fisheries as a vital pillar of food security, employment and coastal stability, the Ministry assured that government would continue to act decisively to keep Ghana’s seas safe and secure.
The statement was issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Read Statement Below:
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