Civil Society and Fisheries Groups Demand Immediate Halt to Ghana's 10,000-Sq-Km Offshore Gold Project




                Story by Azaglo Michael 


ACCRA, Ghana — A coalition of Ghanaian civil society organizations, fisheries associations, and coastal community representatives has submitted an urgent petition to President John Dramani Mahama requesting an immediate halt and comprehensive review of a massive offshore gold exploration project.


The appeal centers on ten contiguous Offshore Reconnaissance Licences granted to GoldCoast Resource Corp., spanning approximately 10,000 square kilometers and extending 300 kilometers along Ghana's coastline from Half Assini to Winneba. 


While acknowledging the country's legitimate interest in exploring natural resources, the coalition expressed profound concern over the project's scale, location within productive marine waters, and potential progression toward seabed sampling, coring, and commercial shallow-water dredging.


The affected marine zone serves as a critical economic engine and food source, supporting thousands of artisanal fishers, fish processors, traders, and coastal businesses, alongside vital spawning and nursery habitats. 


The petition highlights the risks of seabed disturbance, turbidity, sediment resuspension, benthic habitat degradation, and conflicts with local fishing fleets if rigorous safeguards and baseline studies are not instituted prior to exploratory activities. 


To address these risks, the signatory organizations—including the Canoe and Fishing Gear Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG), Fisheries Alliance, Kasa Ghana Initiative, CEMSE, CEDA, GHEITI, Revenue Mobilization Africa, The Growth Curve, and HELP Foundation Africa—outlined four primary demands for executive action: 

Immediate Suspension and Review: Temporarily halt all project implementation and progression to higher-impact activities—such as prospecting, bulk sampling, or dredging—pending a transparent and independent review of how the licences were granted, their boundaries, technical justifications, and regulatory compliance. 


Independent Impact Assessment: Commission an independent, publicly accessible Environmental, Fisheries, and Livelihood Impact Assessment across the entire 10,000-square-kilometer zone.


The study must establish robust baselines for fish habitats, catches, water quality, and coastal livelihoods, incorporating public participation and peer-reviewed science. 


Multi-Sector Review Mechanism: Establish a formal review body comprising key regulatory institutions—including the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fisheries Commission, and Ghana Maritime Authority—alongside civil society, traditional authorities, and coastal communities.


The demand includes full public disclosure of licence coordinates, work plans, and environmental requirements. 


Strict Protective Safeguards: Mandate that no commercial offshore extraction proceed without conclusive, independent scientific evidence proving it will not cause unacceptable harm to marine ecosystems, coastal livelihoods, and national food security.


The petition calls for clear performance standards, cumulative-impact evaluations, sediment controls, and binding compensation frameworks before any commercial operations begin. 


The petition stresses that Ghana's marine territory is a fully utilized ecological and economic framework.


The coalition has requested an urgent meeting with executive leaders and relevant state ministries to establish a collaborative, transparent roadmap for marine resource governance. 

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