Two fishers are said to have died after a boat from Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) collided with their canoe in Tema.

Although initial reports cited Eastern Command of the Ghana Navy and even Marine Police, the In Charge of night security at the Canoe Beach, Yasil Arafat Ali denied this.

He said the report he received from the fishermen indicated a boat belonging to GPHA hit the canoe carrying 12 fishermen and capsized in the process.

The fishers had gone fishing as part of the upcoming Homowo and not merely to flout the closed season.

Yasil Arafat told Joy News the incident has been reported to the police who are investigating the matter.

"At about 4:30 am today, we received information about the incident. Being the one in charge here, they told me the GPHA launch was heading in their direction.

"The launch then hit their canoe upon getting close. The canoe capsized and unfortunately, two of the 12 fishermen did not survive after the incident," he said.

The police leading a hearse have picked up the bodies at Canoe Beach.

Fisherfolk and residents alike rushed to the basin after waking up to the sad news.

Some couldn't help but shed tears.

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has, however, refuted the claim as reports from the fishermen regarding the exact boat that attacked them is conflicting.

The Authority said it would respond in due course.

Meanwhile, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Yohanne Amarh Ashitey is unhappy about the incident.

According to him, a metropolitan security meeting is taking place with relevant stakeholders to unravel the truth.

Priestesses are seen leading procession and making libations over the incident considered as a bad omen ahead of the Homowo in Tema.

The area is really charged as fisher folk are blaming the port authorities.

"We don't want GPHA" on red materials have been hung at the entrances to the canoe basin.