Court fines four stowaways

Takoradi, Feb. 1, GNA- A Takoradi Circuit Court on Thursday imposed a fine of GH¢60 each on four persons for attempting to stow away. The accused persons who pleaded guilty would serve three months imprisonment in default of the fine.

They are Moses Keledson, 25, Thomas Kwabena Ampong, 30, Kofi Essien, 25, and Frank Yankey, 27.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Kumah Mensah, said the Baco 1 Liner berth at the Takoradi Port sometime in January this year and while on its way to Britain, the accused persons were found on board. He said at about 1530 hours on January 18, the Captain of the ship alerted Trans Marine Consultancy and Inspection Ghana Limited, the ship's agent in Takoradi, about the presence of the accused persons on board the ship.

Chief Inspector Mensah said one Mr Asare, an employee of the company, wrote a letter to the Harbour Police about the issue, when the ship returned to the territorial waters of the country. He said a Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority patrol boat conveyed policemen, security personnel and Mr Asare to the high seas and arrested the accused persons on the ship.

Chief Inspector Mensah said the accused persons were taken to the Police station and after further investigations they were charged with the offence.