Revoke offshore gold licences in Ghana to protect fisheries – 24 CSOs tell Mahama

Twenty-four civil society organisations and fisheries stakeholder groups have called on President John Dramani Mahama to revoke all offshore gold reconnaissance licences issued for Ghana’s waters, warning of potential threats to fisheries, marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

The groups welcomed the government’s suspension of activities under the licences held by GoldCoast GRC Ghana Limited but argued that the decision alone would not address their concerns about the proposed offshore operations.

In an open letter dated Tuesday, October 13, and addressed to the President, the organisations called for a comprehensive legal, environmental and socio-economic review of the licences, alongside full disclosure of the relevant approvals and work programmes.

“We respectfully commend the Government for the decision to suspend activities under the reconnaissance licences while the concerns raised by stakeholders are considered,” the statement said.

The letter follows an earlier appeal by the groups on September 28, concerning the offshore gold reconnaissance licences reportedly covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres of Ghana’s western continental shelf.

The organisations said the licensed areas include waters that support important fisheries resources and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

They cited concerns raised by the Fisheries Commission about the potential implications of the licences for marine ecosystems and fishing activities.

They argued that the government’s ongoing review should determine not only whether the suspended activities could resume but also whether offshore gold exploration and possible seabed mining would be compatible with Ghana’s fisheries, food security and blue economy objectives.

The groups also raised legal concerns under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146).

They pointed to provisions they believe require clarification regarding activities such as vibro-coring, bulk sampling, dredging and eventual mineral extraction, urging the relevant authorities to resolve the legal questions before any further work is permitted.

The organisations further called for meaningful consultations with affected fishing communities, fish processors, traditional authorities, relevant state institutions, academics and civil society groups.

The letter was endorsed by organisations including the National Fisheries Association of Ghana, Environmental Justice Foundation, Hen Mpoano, Oceana, Friends of the Nation, Oxfam, A Rocha Ghana and the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council.