A harrowing armed attack on fishermen off the coast of Senya Beraku in Ghana's Awutu Senya District left over 50 individuals stranded at sea, sparking a large-scale search and rescue operation. The incident, which occurred during a night fishing expedition on Wednesday, February 25, involved armed assailants operating a mysterious "black boat" who fired warning shots, held fishermen at gunpoint, and made away with seven outboard motors, generators, and other valuables.

According to reports, the fishermen were operating approximately 35 nautical miles offshore when the coordinated midnight raid took place. Eyewitness Elder Samuel Fetteh recounted the ordeal, stating that the armed men overpowered the fishermen without resistance, leaving them adrift about 4,000 meters from shore after seizing their crucial equipment.

Immediate concerns were raised following the incident, but the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, swiftly confirmed that no deaths or injuries were recorded. He emphasized that the immediate priority was to bring the stranded victims safely to shore, dismissing widespread community speculation that the fishermen had been taken hostage. This clarification was echoed by the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, who stressed, "They were robbed, but they were not taken hostage. I just want to correct that."

A coordinated rescue effort was launched involving multiple agencies. Local fishermen were mobilized to assist, while the Ghana Navy, Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) deployed naval and air assets. The GAF's search and rescue operation began at dawn, focusing on locating and assisting the numerous stranded fishermen. MP Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui also dispatched four canoes and additional boats to tow the disabled vessels back to land.

By Thursday, February 26, the extensive rescue operation culminated in relief as 59 Ghanaian fishermen were safely returned to shore. Scenes of immense joy and thanksgiving were witnessed at various landing sites, including Senya Beraku, Tema, and Chorkor. Family members and community members poured white powder over the rescued men, a traditional gesture of celebration. The victims underwent mandatory health screenings to assess the impact of the shock and exposure, with officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on hand to process survivors.

While no arrests have been made regarding the attackers, investigations are ongoing, with the police leading the probe. The MP noted the sensitivity of the active CID investigation, particularly concerning the nationality of the pirates. The incident has significantly heightened concerns among coastal fishing communities, leading to renewed calls for increased security patrols by the Ghana Navy to protect livelihoods and ensure the safety of fishermen at sea.