VIDEO: Seven Ghanaian Fishermen Survive Nearly Two Weeks at Sea After Canoe Engine Breaks Down
Seven fishermen from Sekondi in Ghana’s Western Region have recounted how they survived nearly two weeks at sea after their canoe’s outboard motor broke down, leaving them stranded far from shore without adequate food and drinking water.
The fishermen were travelling aboard a canoe named Second Chance when their journey turned into a frightening ordeal. According to reports, they departed Sekondi on October 9, 2026, intending to travel towards Axim, but their plans changed after the canoe’s engine reportedly failed on the third day.
Efforts to repair the motor were unsuccessful, leaving the men unable to navigate their way back to land. As the days passed, their supplies dwindled, forcing them to find ways to survive while drifting at sea.
Kwamena Nkum, a 29-year-old member of the group, reportedly described the difficulties they faced after their food and drinking water ran out. With no immediate means of obtaining fresh supplies, the fishermen depended on the fish they managed to catch.
The men reportedly caught fresh fish to sustain themselves. They also attempted to obtain water by boiling seawater, although seawater is unsafe to drink because of its high salt content and boiling alone does not remove that salt. The group’s efforts reflected the desperate conditions they faced while waiting for help.
Their situation became increasingly difficult as their cooking supplies diminished. Reports indicated that after their charcoal ran out, they resorted to burning wood from the canoe to prepare food.
Despite the challenges, the fishermen continued searching for a way to reach safety. Their ordeal eventually took them into waters off Benin, where assistance became possible after they made contact with people on shore.
The rescue involved local fishermen and naval personnel from Benin and Togo, according to reports. The assistance provided the stranded men with food and water and helped facilitate their return towards Ghana.
The fishermen were subsequently handed over to the Ghana Navy near the Ghana–Togo maritime border. They later arrived safely at the Fishing Harbour in Tema, bringing their prolonged ordeal at sea to an end.
The seven men were identified in reports as Kofi Emmanuel, Uncle Amoah, Kwamena Nkum, Kofi Aboagye, Doboa, Agya Badu and Kwamena Akyem.
Their experience highlights the risks faced by fishing crews when mechanical failures occur far from shore, particularly when they have limited emergency supplies and no reliable means of communication or propulsion.
For artisanal fishing communities, outboard motors are essential for navigating fishing grounds and returning safely to land. A breakdown at sea can leave fishermen vulnerable to changing weather, strong currents, dehydration and food shortages.
The incident also underscores the importance of carrying sufficient emergency provisions, maintaining fishing equipment and ensuring that crews have access to reliable communication and safety equipment before setting out.
Although the seven fishermen ultimately returned safely, their experience demonstrates how quickly an ordinary fishing trip can become a life-threatening emergency when equipment fails and assistance is far away.
watch the video below:
One of the seven fishermen from Sekondi who got stranded at sea for two weeks, Kwamena narrates how they survived after they run out of food and water after days when their motor broke down https://t.co/l7uWH0wq54 https://t.co/LEIRvmIdyL
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) October 24, 2026
Source: Thepressradio.com
