Missing 13-year-old boy found safe

Thirteen-year-old Emmanuel Afful, who went missing on October 8, 2026, has been found safe, according to a notice announcing his recovery.

Emmanuel is the son of Hilda Afful, the Gomoa District Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Central Region.

His disappearance had prompted concern from the Central Regional leadership of GNAT, which appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intensify efforts to locate him.

In a press statement issued on Monday, October 19, the association called for urgent investigations, saying the uncertainty surrounding the boy’s whereabouts had caused distress to his family and the wider teaching fraternity.

According to an extract from the Ghana Police Service Station Diary at the Agbogba Police Station, Emmanuel reportedly left home at about 2:00 p.m. on October 8 to buy foodstuffs from a nearby shop but failed to return.

The disappearance was reported to the police on October 10, prompting efforts to establish his whereabouts.

The police record described Emmanuel as a 13-year-old boy of average height and dark complexion who speaks Twi and English. He was reportedly wearing a Barcelona jersey when he went missing.

During the search, GNAT Central Region urged the police to pursue all credible leads, mobilise the necessary resources and keep the family informed about investigations.

“We want our child alive. We want Emmanuel Afful found safe and reunited with his mother and family. Every passing day brings greater anxiety and uncertainty for his loved ones,” the statement said.

The association also appealed to the public to share credible information that could help locate the missing boy, urging anyone with relevant information to report to the nearest police station.

It further called on community leaders, civil society organisations and the media to help circulate information about Emmanuel to improve the chances of finding him.

“Our heartfelt appeal to the IGP and the entire Ghana Police Service is simple: Find Emmanuel Afful. Bring him home alive. His family needs him, and we want our child back,” the statement added.

A subsequent flyer announcing Emmanuel’s recovery expressed gratitude to everyone who shared information and prayed for his safe return.

“Emmanuel Afful has been found safe,” the notice stated, thanking members of the public for their support.

Details of where Emmanuel was found and the circumstances surrounding his recovery have not been provided.

His safe return brings a positive development for his family and the teaching community, which had been appealing for assistance in locating him.