CSOs Commend Government for Suspending Offshore Gold Exploration But Demand Complete Revocation of Licences

A coalition of 24 civil society organisations and fisheries stakeholders has commended the Government of Ghana for suspending offshore gold reconnaissance activities along Ghana’s western continental shelf, but is demanding the complete revocation of all ten licences.

In a second open letter to President John Dramani Mahama dated 13 October, 2026, the groups said the suspension was an “important and responsible precautionary step” but warned that suspension alone cannot resolve the fundamental concerns.

The letter follows their first open letter of 28 September, 2026, concerning offshore gold reconnaissance licences held by GoldCoast GRC Ghana Limited.

The coalition welcomed the Minerals Commission’s letter of 05 October 2026, issued on the direction of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, directing the immediate suspension of all activities under the licences until consultations are completed and written ministerial authorisation is granted for resumption.

The letter notes, however, that the company’s own website publication claims the Minerals Commission has not suspended the licences, while the Commission itself acknowledges concerns about potential environmental and ecological impacts and inadequate consultations.

*10,000 sq km of sea at stake*

The groups are concerned that the licences reportedly cover approximately 10,000 square kilometres of Ghana’s continental shelf, including waters that support important fisheries resources and livelihoods.

They note that the Fisheries Commission has already expressed concerns about implications for the marine environment and fishing communities.

“For millions of Ghanaians, the Ocean is not simply a natural resource. It provides food, employment, cultural identity and economic survival. Decisions affecting these marine ecosystems therefore require the highest standards of transparency, legality, scientific scrutiny and public participation,” the letter stated.

*Legal questions remain*

The coalition wants the ongoing review to be guided by transparency, legality and sound science and to be fully consistent with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), the Constitution and environmental laws.

They flagged unresolved legal questions: Section 32(3) of Act 703 which prohibits a reconnaissance licence holder from engaging in drilling or excavation, and Section 99(6) on the use of floating platforms for mining or dredging in Ghana’s territorial sea, EEZ and continental shelf.

The review must also consider Act 1146’s expanded 12-nautical-mile Inshore Exclusion Zone, as the company’s published map indicates substantial portions of the licensed area intersect shallow coastal waters that support artisanal fisheries.

*Three demands*

The coalition respectfully requested that Government:

1. Maintain the suspension pending complete revocation of all offshore reconnaissance licences, while publishing all licence instruments, coordinates, maps, work programmes and approvals for transparency.

2. Undertake a comprehensive legal, environmental, fisheries and socio-economic review supported by meaningful stakeholder engagement and Free, Prior and Informed Consultations with fishing communities, fish processors, traditional authorities, state institutions and academia.

3. Completely revoke all offshore gold reconnaissance licences in view of significant risks to fisheries resources, marine biodiversity, coastal livelihoods, food security and Ghana’s blue economy objectives.

“Ghana now stands at an important crossroads. The decision before Government is not simply about a set of mineral licences. It is about determining how our oceans and marine resources will be managed for current and future generations,” the letter added.

The letter is signed by 24 organisations including National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa), Hen Mpoano, Oceana, Friends of the Nation, A Rocha Ghana, Oxfam, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC), National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA), Third World Network, National Coalition on Mining and Coalition Against Galamsey Ghana, among others.

It was copied to the Vice President, Chief of Staff, Council of State, Speaker of Parliament, Ministers for Lands, Fisheries, Environment, Transport and Climate Change, Parliamentary Select Committees, EPA, Minerals Commission, Fisheries Commission, Ghana Maritime Authority, CHRAJ, Regional Ministers and House of Chiefs, religious bodies and all media houses.