Stowaway cases on the rise at Takoradi Port

Stowaway cases are on the rise at the Takoradi Port following an increase in the number of ships berthing at the port, particularly oil vessels, necessitating the need to tighten security at the Port.

The Takoradi Port has in the past recorded many stowaway cases long before the discovery of oil.

Jobless and overambitious youth have successfully gotten onto vessels undercover and sometimes with the connivance of crew members aboard, in their quest to seek greener pastures in Europe.

Some unlucky ones have either being detained at the Port or overseas and deported home, whilst others have arrived safely and lived their dreams.

Port authorities believe this menace is being perpetrated again due to the movement of more oil vessels within the Port.

The Security Coordinator at the Takoradi Port, Col. Kaku Korsah, who will not give details on the intensity of the crime, says there has been an increase in the practice this year, compared to the previous year.

He however says stringent security measures are in place to nip the act in the bud.

“There are issues of people daring to use bamboo sticks and other things from boats to get onto some of the vessels. We have sounded alarm to captains of vessels to assist us by calling on the Harbour Master and his outfit to enable us respond more promptly. But I don’t think that it’s as rampant as it is being portrayed,” he noted.

On the issue of piracy, he said: “We have a divisional police command at the Port, we have the Harbour Mast, and my responsibility is to coordinate these organisations to liaise effectively with the Ghana Navy for the patrols of those boats. For now, we are keeping close watch on all vessels at anchorage so that issues of piracy will be dealt with. I won’t say it’s rampant but of course when you have a thriving economy you have other social issues that go with it.”

Col. Korsah said Port authorities anticipate a rise in crime due to the oil production, and is prepared to combat it, with the help of the Ghana Navy and the Marine Police Division of the Ghana Police Service.