The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) together with the Fisheries Commission, Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service have discovered mass dead fishes at the Tema Shipyard.
Authorities found dead fishes concentrated within a 50-metre radius of the main unloading ramp. FDA said the incident was first observed by security personnel on site.
In a joint statement issued on April 9, the institutions advised the public about the occurrence of fish mortality at the Tema Shipyard.
According to the statement, the incident was uncovered on April 6, 2026. The four institutions upon getting wind of the issue jointly responded immediately and secured the site.
The statement noted that the cause of the incident is currently under urgent investigation.
A rapid-response team comprising FDA inspectors, police officers, and Tema Port officials have since been collaborating to establish what might have caused the mass mortality of fishes.
According to the statement, there is no evidence yet of a deliberate sabotage or an immediate widespread health emergency.
FDA says between 60 and 80 fish samples, and some water samples have been collected under chain-of-custody protocols for priority laboratory testing.
In the meantime, the institutions have issued a public advisory for persons not to harvest, purchase, or consume fish or seafood from the Tema Shipyard or adjacent areas until the FDA issues an “All-Clear” notice.
Also, fish from certified cold-chain markets outside the affected zone remains safe when cooked to an internal temperature of 63°C or above.
FDA has urged individuals to report sightings of dead or distressed fish to the FDA Hotline: 0551 112 224/5 or the nearest FDA offices.
Anyone who has consumed fish from the area and is experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, or skin irritation should seek immediate medical attention and inform his or her healthcare provider of the potential exposure.
“Further updates will be provided as they become available. The public is encouraged to rely only on official channels for information,” the statement concluded.
