CSOs Call for Full Revocation of Ghana Offshore Gold Licences
Over 20 civil society and fisheries groups urge President John Dramani Mahama to revoke all 10 offshore gold reconnaissance licences
In Brief
- •Over 20 civil society and fisheries groups urge President John Dramani Mahama to revoke all 10 offshore gold reconnaissance licences
- •The licences cover roughly 10,000 sq km of Ghana’s continental shelf, overlapping shallow coastal waters vital for artisanal fisheries
- •CSOs argue that a temporary suspension is insufficient and demand permanent cancellation to protect marine ecosystems, fisheries, and food security
- •They cite legal provisions in the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025 that restrict invasive activities and safeguard the inshore exclusion zone
- •The coalition warns that offshore gold exploration and potential seabed mining threaten biodiversity and coastal economies
Why It Matters
The proposed offshore gold exploration sits at the intersection of Ghana’s growing blue‑economy ambitions and its reliance on coastal fisheries for food security and livelihoods. A permanent revocation would safeguard marine biodiversity, protect artisanal fishing communities, and uphold legal standards that prohibit invasive mining activities within the country’s territorial waters. The decision also signals how Ghana balances resource extraction with environmental stewardship and socio‑economic development.
Key Details
- Number of Licences
- 10
- Area Covered
- 10,000 sq km
- Number of CSOs Involved
- over 20
- Relevant Legal Provision
- Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Section 32(3) & 99(6) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025, Section 1146
- Presiding President
- John Dramani Mahama
Context & Background
Ghana has been pursuing a blue‑economy strategy that prioritises sustainable use of marine resources. The proposed offshore gold exploration has raised concerns that it conflicts with the country’s fisheries protection laws and environmental objectives.
Original Reporting & Sources
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