SEVEN MISSING, ALL SAFE: SECOND CHANCE’S SECOND CHANCE

Second Chance means second chance. It is the name of a piroga from Ghana with seven fishermen on board. After an engine failure, that boat crossed a stretch of the Gulf of Guinea dragged by currents. On October 21 2026, in Benin's waters, his crew was rescued. The next day, all seven arrived at Theme.

The best news is in those three words: all seven. Behind there are fishermen who have helped other fishermen, military from three countries and an operation that has continued to take care of men even after having found them: visits, water, food, clothes and a place to rest.

A departure, a stationary engine, days without return

According to the reconstruction of the Ghanaian Navy, the crew had sailed from Sekondi on October 9, for a fishing trip off Axim, in the western region of the country. The failure at the outboard had left the canoe drifting eastward, up to the waters of Togo and then Benin.

The owner, Nana Kweku Atta, reported the crew missing to the port police on 18 October. These are two different dates: the departure date and the complaint date. The Navy says it also received a report from Ghana’s Fisheries Commission on 20 October.

On board were Kofi Emmanuel, Uncle Amoah, Kwamena Nkum, Kofi Aboagye, Doboa, Agya Badu and Kwamena Akyem. Names, even before a communication number. People left to work and stayed away from home for days, while research involved authorities and coastal communities.

Eleven fishermen across the border

In the rescue there is a group that deserves space: the eleven Beninese fishermen thanked publicly by Kwadwo Kyei Yamoah, representative of the Fisheries Alliance. it was the local fishermen who identified and helped the canoe and the men, and then entrusted them to the Navy.

They are called Julien Kpade Bavi, Olivier Koffi Akolotche, Kodjo Messan Agonglovi, Kodjo Renaud Kokodoko, Pascal Fanoukpe, Koffi Fiacre Ahouete, Kouassi Sohou, Casimir Vignon, Nicolas Drafo, Souka Kpoffo and Yao Fabrice Adjagba. The institutional confirmation of Ghana Navy recognises the contribution of the local fishing association together with the Benin and Togo Marines.

Telling them too means giving a name to someone who did something. The sea had brought seven workers beyond its own country; other men who know that sea helped to bring them home.

Return continues even after the rescue

At 22:36 of 21 October, the Beninese Navy informed the Ghanaian Navy that the sects had been located and rescued. It is time for confirmation from the authorities, as reported in the Ghana Navy statement.

The transfer continued through the Togolese vessel OTI and the Ghanaian GNS Aflao, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Isaac Abban. The crew received an initial health assessment and food on board, before arriving at the port of Tema. On their return, all seven were in good condition.

Water, basic necessities, clothing and life jackets were provided on the ground. Ghana Maritime Authority has also organized meals and accommodation for the night, waiting for the trip to Sekondi. The return needed these attentions, one after the other.

We prayed: the voice of those who were on the boat

Kwamena Akyem, who led the crew, said that during the waiting they had prayed, hoping for God's help. He also reported to have thrown the fish into the sea to lighten the boat and thanked those who had participated in the rescue.

Prayer belongs to his story. Alongside that hope are the documented gestures of those who have sought, found, assisted and accompanied the seven men. It is here that this story touches us: someone has taken care of their lives until they return.

Second Chance, a possibility become concrete

During the report of the operation, the Navy also reported problems of communication and reporting of emergencies. The Ministry of Fisheries drew attention to the importance of weather forecasts, life jackets and tools for asking for help. These are matters that remain open after the good news.

For CHIARA!, the heart of Second Chance are those seven names returned to the mainland and the eleven fishermen who helped save them. A second possibility took shape through precise people. And he had a beautiful destination: home.