The Ghana Navy has rescued seven suspected Ivorian stowaways from an oil tanker anchored off the Tema port waters in the Greater Accra Region during a maritime security operation.
According to reports from the Ghana Navy and maritime security sources, the incident occurred during a routine patrol when naval officers detected suspicious movement on board a commercial oil tanker that had docked offshore Tema for operational purposes.
Upon boarding and inspection, the Navy discovered seven individuals hiding in restricted sections of the vessel.
The suspects are believed to be nationals of Côte d’Ivoire who allegedly boarded the ship illegally while it was either berthed or preparing for departure from a nearby port.
Preliminary information suggests the group may have attempted to travel clandestinely across the Gulf of Guinea, possibly in search of migration opportunities or transit to another destination without valid travel documents.
The Ghana Navy swiftly secured the vessel and took the suspects into custody without incident.
The ship’s crew was also interviewed as part of standard maritime security procedures to determine how the individuals gained access to the tanker.
The rescued stowaways were later handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service and other security agencies for further screening, identification, and investigation.
Authorities are expected to establish whether the act is linked to wider irregular migration routes or possible human trafficking networks operating along West African coastal waters.
Maritime security officials have described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to protect Ghana’s territorial waters and ensure that commercial shipping activities are not compromised by illegal boarding, smuggling, or security breaches.
No injuries were recorded during the operation, and the oil tanker was cleared to continue its voyage after initial security checks were completed.
Meanwhile, further investigations are ongoing.
