The deaths of two fishermen from Tema Manhean have been verified following what is believed to have been a confrontation with security personnel from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) while the fishermen were out fishing early on Thursday morning.
It is unknown what caused the collision between the fishermen and the security at sea that led to the deaths of the two fishermen. The incident ended in both of their deaths.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture made an announcement in May 2023 that the close season, which began on July 1, 2023, will end on July 31, 2023. However, the Ga traditional council has made some arrangements with the Ministry of Fisheries since the beginning of the close season in 2016, which allow a designated team to go fishing in order to get some fish for the annual Homowo festival as custom demands.
During the close season, fishermen are not permitted to go fishing for the specified number of days or months that have been designated by the government. This period is known as the "close season."
Speaking on the terrible situation, the Chief Fisherman of Tema Awudum, Nii Odametey II, said the following: "The Ga communities were in the midst of their festival period, and they had an arrangement with the Ministry for such an expedition. In addition, all of the security agencies were aware of the situation as that has been the standard practise ever since the closed season began four years ago."
"The crew went fishing at around 00:00 hours on Thursday, adding that between 03:30 and 04:00 hours, they received a report that they were on duty when GPHA's security allegedly beat them, leading to the deaths of the two." "The deaths of the two individuals occurred shortly after the beatings."
He went on to say that the event had been reported to the police, who then dispatched staff to the canoe beach to confirm the dead. Following this, the bodies were transported to the mortuary of the International Maritime Hospital, which is located in Tema Community Three.
According to him, the security personnel must have a better understanding of the situation given that the Ga Traditional Council has been given permission to fish for their celebration during this time of year given that Homowo is held in the month of August each year.
The night security guard, Mr. Yasil Arafat Ali, disclosed more information, including the fact that there were twelve fisherman on the vessel that reportedly collided with the GPHA security canoe when it was out on the water.
Mr. Ali, who was narrating the narrative based on what the 10 people who survived the catastrophe stated, indicated that the fishermen, after casting their net for some time on the top portion of the water, did not acquire the fish species they required and consequently decided to head downhill to try their luck. This occurred at approximately 04:30 hours.
During this procedure, they became aware of the GPHA launch coming down from above them, and without pausing to ask any questions, they ran their canoe over with the launch, which caused it to capsize.
They were thrown into the sea as a result of this, and once they had regained their composure and turned off the canoe, they saw that the bodies of the two deceased fisherman were still inside it.
Mr. Isaac Tawiah, who is in charge of Marketing and Public Relations at the Fishing Harbour, stated that an investigation into the matter has been initiated so that they may determine what factors may have contributed to the deaths of the two fishermen.
Upon hearing the news, residents of Tema Newtown made their way hastily to the location in order to get a better look at the deceased.
A video showing residents looking on in bewilderment as the bodies of the deceased were transported to the mortuary
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