Nii Ashitey Odametey II calls for improved safety gear for fishers

The Chief Fisherman of Awudum, Nii Ashitey Odametey II, has made an urgent appeal to the government and the Ministry of Fisheries to provide modern safety and communication equipment for artisanal fishers. This call follows the survival of seven fishermen who spent two weeks adrift at sea after their canoe, named Second Chance, suffered a motor failure on October 9, 2026. The vessel eventually drifted into Beninese waters before the crew was successfully rescued and returned home.

Nii Odametey II emphasized that the current lack of distress-tracking devices and reliable communication tools significantly hampers emergency responses. In the case of the Second Chance, the rescue effort was delayed because the crew had no means to alert authorities of their position once they moved out of mobile network range. The Chief Fisherman noted that artisanal fishing remains a high-risk profession, and the current reliance on traditional methods for search and rescue is no longer sufficient given the distances fishers now travel.

The appeal also highlighted infrastructure gaps within the Fisheries Commission, which reportedly lacks adequate patrol boats to conduct regular inspections and emergency interventions. Nii Odametey II urged the state to prioritize the acquisition of these vessels to enhance the safety of the thousands of Ghanaians who depend on the sea for their livelihoods. He argued that investing in modern technology would prevent future incidents from becoming tragedies.

Looking ahead, there are indications that the Fisheries Commission is planning to introduce distress-tracking devices to improve safety monitoring. While these plans are in development, the fishing community at Awudum and beyond remains anxious for concrete action. The implementation of such technology, alongside regular safety training, is seen as vital for the modernization of Ghana's artisanal fishing sector and the protection of its workforce.