Tema Port Security arrests four stowaways

The vigilance of the Port Security has led to the arrest of four people, who attempted to stowaway from the Tema Harbour.

They were found on board the vessel m/v “AS Carelia” at Berth 1 of Meridian Port Service which was leaving for Holland at the midnight of Thursday, February 8, 2018.

Their names are Benjamin Aidoo- 21years, Bernard Owoo-18 years, YussifMusah -26 years, and Emmanuel Mensah- 22years.

After interrogations, they plotted to secretly be on board the ship to aid their travel to Holland without knowing the destination of the vessel for greener pastures.

They confessed to have been ferried on a boat from the Tema Fishing Harbour to the breakwaters at the Meridian Port Services, where they used a hook and bamboo-like device to hook the ship on which they climbed tying their bags on their hands as they climbed into the vessels.

Items in the bags they carried included gari, Fanta, water, paracetamol, rope, clothes, biscuits, glucose among others.



The Port Security Manager, Lt. Col Joseph Punamane said the Authority has improved security systems that will fish out such individuals who want to hide in vessels to stowaway from Ghana’s Ports.

"The port is no go area, we have improved the systems, cctv cameras, security is high so they cannot use the port. We have trained some dogs, they will be operational soon and it will be difficult so they should not even dare. They should not try the Port because they will not work,” he cautioned.

Lt. Col Joseph Punamane advised young people to follow due processes if they desire to travel overseas for greener pastures and avoid such risky procedures.

He said the four stowaway would be handed over to the Immigration Service to face the stipulated punishment for the offence committed.

"They have committed an offence, the immigration will take them, hand them over to the police and process them to court", he noted.