Ghana Navy Investigates Pirate Attack, Three Crew Members Missing After Vessel Boarding
Armed Attack in Ghanaian Waters Leaves Crew Members Missing
The Ghana Navy has launched a probe into a suspected act of piracy targeting the Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel MENGXIN 1 in Ghanaian waters on the evening of Thursday, March 27, 2025.
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that around 5:53 PM, seven armed individuals boarded the vessel and discharged warning shots. This forced several crew members to take refuge.
The pirates spent approximately three hours on board, gathering the crew on deck and seizing their mobile phones.
The remaining crew members, who were not harmed, navigated the vessel closer to the coast to report the incident due to the absence of mobile network coverage offshore.
The MENGXIN 1 has since safely reached the Tema Fishing Harbour, where the Marine Police and Naval Intelligence from the Eastern Naval Command have conducted initial inquiries and verified the attack and the likely abduction.
In response, Ghana has engaged with neighboring nations through the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone F in Accra, operating under the Yaoundé Architecture for maritime security, seeking their assistance in locating the perpetrators and the missing crew.
Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, the Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, has assured the public that intelligence efforts are underway to find and rescue the kidnapped individuals.
The Ghana Navy has also stated its commitment to working with regional and international partners to counter the threat of piracy and ensure the safety of maritime operations within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
