Safety at sea has become very critical in discussions around Ghana’s emerging blue economy. But, fundamental to these discussions is the view that fishing expeditions across Ghana’s ocean family are deeply rooted in tradition and mysteries. It appears there’s a need to blend tradition with science in safeguarding the safety of fishers in this contemporary trade, which is characterised by uncertainties, risks, and more challenging times in this era of climate change.
These were sentiments expressed by captains and regulators in the industry as part of efforts to improve the safety, well-being, and sustainability of Ghana’s small-scale fisheries, piloted by Friends of the Nation (FON) in partnership with ProSea Education, under the Marine SafeNet Ghana project.
The crisis confronting the global trade has become more pronounced as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that globally about 32,000 fishers die yearly, 88 of whom are artisanal fishermen.
“These huge numbers pose a great challenge to the industry, especially in the face of poor safety culture. For example, fishers don’t care about life jackets. Again, there are gaps in the enforcement regime and so we need to step up safety awareness in the fishing communities,” remarked Philip Prah, Project Officer at FON.
Pre-expedition experience
On detecting a good expedition, Victor Dzokoto, Volta Regional Secretary of Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC), explained the use of the sounds of birds. Fishers also test the beach sand to determine expedition safety — soft sand indicates danger, while hard sand indicates it is safe to go to sea.
Kenneth Arthur, General Secretary of the Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), said some fishers rely on astrology, with gifted individuals interpreting stars on the horizon to gauge fishing prospects.
From Lekpongmor in Greater Accra, Simon Okoe Kwaw, also of CaFGOAG, described fishing as a “mental game,” a way of life, and wielding economic power, stressing that “fishermen like fish.” He noted that the presence of sea gulls, crabs, and turtles laying eggs at estuaries portends good omens for fishing expeditions.
Risks at sea
Victor Dzokoto recalled a 1990s incident when a crew cast their net into an area 500 yards away from another group of fishers, resulting in tragedy.
Kenneth Arthur added that fishermen should ensure they have the right volumes of fuel, a sail, and paddles, lamenting that some go to sea without these safety measures.
Another risky case involved fishermen from Abandze who were drifted toward Apam by strong waves at midnight.
Simon recalled that in late June 2008, an 18-man crew went on a night expedition, caught huge volumes of fish, but their boat capsized at midnight. They stayed at sea until 6 a.m., with foggy weather and a stopped outboard motor.
Mike Abakah-Edu, Regional Secretary of GNCFC in the Western Region, noted that earlier, fishers took precautionary measures with paddles, anchors, and sails but had since stopped, relying on experience instead. He added, “this is one of serious concerns to the industry.”
Mysteries
Jeremiah Eshun, a canoe owner from Dixcove, narrated a mystery from August 2024, when seven fishermen from Lower Dixcove went on an expedition in Axim waters. On the seventh day, a whale struck their canoe, destroyed the outboard motor, leaving two dead.
“Those who survived about 70 miles offshore had wanted to commit suicide, but they were later rescued. The bodies of the two could not be found. Meanwhile, families alleged that the canoe owner had used the deceased for ‘juju’. Indeed, safety at sea is a major concern to the industry,” Eshun stated.
Sharing his thoughts, the Western Regional Director of Fisheries, Dr Charles Teye, stressed that fishermen must prioritise safety before embarking on expeditions. Negligence and poor preparation continue to cause preventable accidents at sea.
He noted that safety begins before the journey, with essential equipment — including life jackets, protective gear, and well-serviced outboard motors — in good condition.
“Your life jacket is what will sustain you whenever there’s an accident or you fall into the water. Many fishermen complain that the jackets are uncomfortable, but they are lifesavers in critical moments,” Dr Teye recommended.
Regular maintenance of boats and canoes is equally important, as cracks or weak parts can worsen under strong waves, leading to capsizing or water ingress. He also cautioned fishermen to respect safety limits at sea, particularly the six-nautical-mile boundary, warning that venturing too far exposes them to dangerous weather and unpredictable tides.
“Those who survived about 70 miles offshore had wanted to commit suicide, but they were later rescued,” Dr Teye reiterated.
BY CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE
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