A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in fisheries and marine ecosystems has petitioned the Ghanaian government to review and clarify legal agreements permitting GoldCoast Resource Corp to undertake offshore gold reconnaissance activities along Ghana's inshore waters. The Coalition expressed concerns that decisions affecting ocean space must protect fisheries, biodiversity, food security, human rights, and coastal livelihoods.
GoldCoast Resource Corp holds ten offshore reconnaissance licences covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres, extending along about 300 kilometres of Ghana's coastline between Half Assini in the Western region and Winneba in the Central region, and reaching about 33 kilometres offshore. The company's published map indicates that substantial portions of its licensed area fall within Ghana's Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ), which is defined as coastal waters between the coastline and 12 nautical miles offshore.
The CSOs noted that the company's activities have already collected approximately 50,000 line-kilometres of airborne magnetic data across 100 per cent of the licensed area, with more detailed work focused on a 500 square kilometres priority area encompassing the mouth of the Ankobra River. The stated forward programme includes marine bathymetric and seismic surveys, followed by vibro-core drilling and bulk seabed sampling. However, the company acknowledges that no mineral resource or reserve, or economic viability, has yet been established.
The Coalition cited Section 32(3) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, which prohibits the holder of a reconnaissance licence from drilling or excavating. Additionally, Section 99(6) of Act 703, as amended, makes it an offence to use a floating platform or other equipment for mining or dredging to obtain minerals in Ghana's natural water bodies, including the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf.
The CSOs emphasised that Ghana's expanded IEZ, the Marine Fisheries Management Plan, and the recently declared Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Greater Cape Three Points enclave are important national commitments that should be considered together with any mineral decisions affecting the same waters. These commitments aim to protect fisheries, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods.
The Coalition called on the government to publish the official coordinates, licence instruments, conditions, and approved work programmes for all ten offshore reconnaissance licences. They also urged the government to commission and publish an independent spatial overlay showing the licences in relation to the 12 nautical mile IEZ, the Greater Cape Three Points MPA, key fishing grounds, spawning and nursery areas, and other sensitive marine habitats.
The government must determine transparently whether the existing licences should continue unchanged, be modified to exclude sensitive areas, or be cancelled where applicable legal grounds and evidence warrant such action. The Coalition stressed that the scale of the licences, their proximity to the coast, and the proposed progression to intrusive seabed activity require that the facts and safeguards be established before the programme advances.
Key points
- The Coalition of CSOs is pushing for a review of GoldCoast Resource Corp's offshore gold reconnaissance licences.
- The licences cover approximately 10,000 square kilometres along Ghana's coastline.
- The Coalition cites concerns about protecting fisheries, biodiversity, food security, human rights, and coastal livelihoods.
