Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in the fisheries and coastal sectors in Ghana have urged the government to review offshore gold reconnaissance activities along the country's western continental coast. The CSOs, in an open letter to President John Dramani Mahama, expressed concerns over the potential implications of such activities on fisheries, marine ecosystems, and coastal livelihoods. They cited information published by GoldCoast Resource Corp., which holds 10 offshore reconnaissance licences covering approximately 10,000 square kilometres.
The CSOs said the published map suggested that portions of the licensed area fell within Ghana's Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ), which extends from the coastline to 12 nautical miles offshore. However, the precise extent of any overlap could only be established after the official cadastral coordinates and licence instruments had been made public. The groups stressed that they did not oppose responsible investment or the lawful exploitation of Ghana's natural resources but insisted that decisions affecting the ocean space must protect fisheries, biodiversity, food security, human rights, and coastal livelihoods.
According to the open letter, company disclosures indicated that about 50,000 line-kilometres of airborne magnetic data had already been collected across the licensed area, with more detailed work focused on a 500 square-kilometre priority area around the mouth of the Ankobra River. The groups said the company's stated forward programme included marine bathymetric and seismic surveys, followed by vibro-core drilling and bulk seabed sampling. They also acknowledged that no mineral resource or reserve, or economic viability had yet been established.
The CSOs raised particular questions about the legal basis for vibro-coring, bulk seabed sampling, dredging, and any eventual extraction. They cited Section 32(3) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, which prohibits holders of reconnaissance licences from drilling or excavating. They also referred to Section 99(6) of the Act, which 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.
The groups expressed concern that seismic and other acoustic surveys, increased vessel traffic, seabed disturbance, and sediment plumes could affect spawning and nursery grounds, benthic habitats, and marine mammals. They referred to experiences in Norton Sound in Alaska and Bangka-Belitung in Indonesia, where offshore mining activities had been associated with changes to benthic ecosystems and seagrass habitats. The CSOs also raised constitutional and human rights concerns, saying access to information, participation in national decision-making, protection of livelihoods, and responsible management of natural resources should guide decisions concerning the offshore licences.
The CSOs asked the government to publish the official coordinates, licence instruments, conditions, and approved work programmes for all 10 offshore reconnaissance licences. They also called for an independent spatial assessment showing the relationship between the licensed areas and the IEZ, the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area (MPA), key fishing grounds, spawning and nursery areas, and other sensitive marine habitats. The groups further requested that the government clarify the legal and environmental approvals required for subsequent activities, particularly vibro-core drilling, bulk sampling, and any eventual dredging.
The CSOs said no prospecting licence should be granted and no intrusive seabed activity should proceed without comprehensive environmental, fisheries, socio-economic, and human-rights assessments. They insisted that the Fisheries Commission, relevant ministries and agencies, coastal communities, academia, and civil society must be involved in the review process. The groups want the government to transparently determine whether the existing licences should continue unchanged, be modified to exclude sensitive areas, or be cancelled where applicable legal grounds and evidence warranted such action.
Key points
- The CSOs are calling for a review of offshore gold reconnaissance licences due to concerns over potential impacts on fisheries and marine ecosystems.
- The licences cover approximately 10,000 square kilometres, with some areas possibly overlapping with Ghana's Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ).
- The CSOs are requesting that the government publish official coordinates and licence instruments, and conduct comprehensive assessments before granting prospecting licences or proceeding with intrusive seabed activities.
