Business News of 2026-10-13

Civil society groups commend government’s suspension of offshore gold activities

A coalition of 24 civil society organisations and fisheries stakeholders has commended the government for suspending activities under offshore gold reconnaissance licences held by GoldCoast GRC Ghana Limited, while calling for the complete revocation of all such licences in Ghana’s waters. In an open letter dated October 13, 2026, and addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, the coalition described the suspension as an important precautionary measure but argued that it was insufficient to address the legal, environmental and socio-economic concerns surrounding the proposed offshore mineral exploration programme. The groups urged the government to maintain the suspension pending the complete revocation of the licences, warning that offshore gold exploration and possible subsequent seabed mining could threaten fisheries resources, marine biodiversity, food security and the livelihoods of coastal communities. The letter follows an earlier appeal dated September 28, 2026, concerning offshore gold reconnaissance licences held by GoldCoast GRC Ghana Limited along Ghana’s western continental shelf. The coalition also referred to a letter issued by the Minerals Commission on October 5, 2026, following a directive from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, ordering the immediate suspension of activities under the licences until the necessary consultations are completed and written ministerial authorisation is granted for activities to resume. According to the coalition, the Minerals Commission acknowledged concerns about the potential environmental and ecological effects of the proposed activities, as well as shortcomings in consultations with individuals and groups likely to be affected. The organisations said the suspension should provide an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the licences rather than merely establish the conditions under which the company could resume operations. They called on the government to publish all relevant licence instruments, coordinates, maps, work programmes and approvals associated with the ten offshore reconnaissance licences to promote transparency and public accountability. The coalition further urged the authorities to undertake a comprehensive legal, environmental, fisheries and socio-economic assessment of the proposed activities, supported by meaningful engagement with fishing communities, fish processors, traditional authorities, state institutions, academics and civil society organisations. It specifically called for Free, Prior and Informed Consultations with affected communities before any further decisions are taken on the offshore exploration programme. The groups maintained that the outcome of the review must be consistent with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended; the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146); the 1992 Constitution; and applicable environmental laws and regulations. The coalition identified provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act as requiring authoritative interpretation before the programme advances to more intrusive exploration activities or eventual mineral extraction. It cited Section 32(3) of Act 703, as amended, which it said prohibits holders of reconnaissance licences from engaging in drilling or excavation. The letter also raised questions about Section 99(6) of the Act and its implications for the use of floating platforms or other equipment for mining or dredging to obtain minerals in Ghana’s territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The groups said these provisions should be examined before any decision is taken on proposed activities such as vibro-coring, bulk sampling, dredging or eventual extraction. They also called for the review to consider the protections and management objectives under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, particularly those relating to Ghana’s expanded 12-nautical-mile Inshore Exclusion Zone. According to the coalition, the company’s published map indicates that substantial portions of the licensed area overlap with shallow coastal waters that support artisanal fisheries and provide important ecological and economic benefits to coastal communities. The coalition further expressed concern that the licences reportedly cover approximately 10,000 square kilometres of Ghana’s continental shelf, an area it said includes waters supporting important fisheries resources and livelihoods. It cited concerns attributed to the Fisheries Commission regarding the possible implications of the licences for the marine environment, fishing activities and communities dependent on fisheries. The organisations stressed that Ghana’s marine resources are central to the country’s food security, employment, cultural identity and economic wellbeing, particularly for communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing and related activities. They argued that decisions affecting marine ecosystems must be guided by transparency, scientific evidence, legality and meaningful public participation. The coalition warned that the potential benefits of offshore mineral development must be carefully weighed against the risks to marine biodiversity, fisheries resources and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians. It maintained that the government should prioritise the long-term sustainability of fisheries over uncertain benefits associated with offshore mineral exploration and possible seabed mining. Twenty-four organisations endorse call The open letter was endorsed by 24 organisations representing environmental advocacy, fisheries, community development and natural resource governance. They include the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa), Global Fisheries and Resilience Action (GFRA), Hen Mpoano, Oceana, Friends of the Nation, Development Action Association, CEWEFIA and CERATH Development Organisation. Other signatories include A Rocha Ghana, Oxfam, Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, Blue Ventures, Centre for Social Impact Studies, National Fish Processors and Traders Association, The Green Teller, Social & Scientific Research for Development, CAOPA-Ghana, Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana, Third World Network, National Coalition on Mining, Advocates for Community Alternatives and Coalition Against Galamsey Ghana. The letter was copied to several government institutions and public officials, including the Office of the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of Parliament, the relevant parliamentary select committees, the Ministries responsible for lands and natural resources, fisheries and aquaculture, and environment, as well as the Environmental Protection Authority, Minerals Commission, Fisheries Commission and Ghana Maritime Authority. The coalition also copied traditional authorities, religious organisations, regional administrations and international conservation networks. The groups said the suspension had preserved an opportunity for the government to address outstanding legal and environmental questions before the exploration programme progressed to more intrusive stages. They urged President Mahama to ensure that the ongoing review was guided by sound science, transparency, legality and meaningful public participation, with the ultimate objective of revoking all offshore gold reconnaissance licences. The coalition concluded that the issue extended beyond mineral exploration, describing it as a decision about how Ghana’s marine resources should be managed for present and future generations. It called on the government to place the national interest, environmental protection and the welfare of coastal communities at the centre of its final decision. OPEN LETTER COMMENDING GOVERNMENT’S SUSPENSION OF OFFSHORE GOLD RECONNAISSANCE ACTIVITIES AND CALLING FOR THE COMPLETE REVOCATION OF ALL OFFSHORE GOLD RECONNAISANCE LICENSES IN GHANA’S WATERS 13 October, 2026 His Excellency John Dramani Mahama President of the Republic of Ghana Jubilee House Accra, Ghana Your Excellency, We, the undersigned Civil Society Organisations and fisheries stakeholders working in the context of Ghana’s fisheries, and with coastal communities, write further to our Open Letter of 28 September 2026 concerning the offshore gold reconnaissance licences held by GoldCoast GRC Ghana Limited along Ghana’s western continental shelf. We respectfully commend the Government for the decision to suspend activities under the reconnaissance licences while the concerns raised by stakeholders are considered. We particularly note the Minerals Commission’s letter of 05 October 2026, issued pursuant to the direction of the Hon. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, requiring the immediate suspension of all activities under the licences until the Commission has completed the necessary consultations and written ministerial authorisation has been issued for activities to resume, although the company’s website report indicates that the Minerals Commission has not suspended their licences (https://www.goldcoastresource.com/news/goldcoast-resource- corp-clarifies-media-reports-and-confirms-offshore-licenses-r). In their letter, nonetheless, the Commission also acknowledges concerns relating to the potential environmental and ecological impacts of the proposed activities and the inadequacy of consultations with persons and groups who may be affected. Your Excellency, we consider this an important and responsible precautionary step. However, while the suspension is welcome, we respectfully submit that suspension alone cannot resolve the fundamental concerns raised by stakeholders. The processes now initiated should not merely determine whether activities can resume, but whether offshore gold exploration and any eventual seabed mining activities are compatible with Ghana’s fisheries, blue economy aspirations, food security objectives and the interests of coastal 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.We are additionally 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. The Fisheries Commission has expressed concerns about the implications of these licences for the marine environment, fishing activities and dependent communities. These concerns reinforce the need for a precautionary approach that prioritises the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s fisheries over uncertain and potentially irreversible impacts associated with offshore mineral development. We also welcome the Minerals Commission’s recognition that the company is required to obtain the necessary authorisations and permits from the relevant State institutions before commencing applicable activities. The suspension should therefore provide an opportunity not merely for consultation, but for a comprehensive review of whether and under what circumstances the proposed programme can lawfully and responsibly proceed. In this regard, we respectfully submit that the eventual outcome of the review should be fully consistent with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146), the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, applicable environmental legislation, and all other relevant laws and regulatory requirements of the Republic of Ghana. Of particular importance are the unresolved legal questions identified in our earlier letter. Section 32(3) of Act 703, as amended, prohibits the holder of a reconnaissance licence from engaging in drilling or excavation. Section 99(6) also raises an important question about using floating platforms or other equipment for mining or dredging to obtain minerals in Ghana’s territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. These provisions should be considered authoritatively as part of the review before any decision is taken about progressing to vibro-coring, bulk sampling, dredging or eventual mineral extraction. The same review should fully implement the protections and management objectives established under Act 1146, particularly in relation to Ghana’s expanded 12-nautical-mile Inshore Exclusion Zone. This is essential because the company’s published map indicates that substantial portions of the licensed area intersect the same shallow coastal waters that support artisanal fisheries and other important ecological and livelihood functions. We therefore respectfully request that Government: 1. Maintain the suspension of activities pending the complete revocation of all offshore reconnaissance licences, while publishing all relevant licence instruments, coordinates, maps, work programmes and approvals associated with the ten offshore reconnaissance licences to ensure full transparency and public accountability. 2. Undertake a comprehensive legal, environmental, fisheries and socio-economic review of the licences and proposed activities, supported by meaningful stakeholder engagement and Free, Prior and Informed Consultations with affected fishing communities, fish processors, traditional authorities, relevant state institutions, academia and civil society organisations to support the complete revocation of all offshore gold reconnaissance licences3. Completely revoke all offshore gold reconnaissance licences in view of the significant risks posed to fisheries resources, marine biodiversity, coastal livelihoods, food security and Ghana’s blue economy objectives Your Excellency, our earlier appeal was based on the conviction that Ghana still had an opportunity to address these questions before the programme progressed to more intrusive stages. The suspension preserves that opportunity and should now be followed by the complete revocation of all offshore gold reconnaissance licences. We respectfully submit that 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. While we commend Government for its swift intervention, we encourage Your Excellency to ensure that the ongoing review is guided by transparency, legality, sound science and meaningful public participation. The ultimate measure of this process will not simply be whether consultations were held, but whether Government completely revokes all offshore gold reconnaissance licences in order to demonstrably protect Ghana’s fisheries resources, marine biodiversity and the millions of citizens whose livelihood and food security depend upon healthy oceans. We therefore respectfully urge Government to place the national interest, environmental stewardship and the welfare of coastal communities at the centre of its final decision by completely revoking all offshore gold reconnaissance licences and preventing potentially irreversible impacts on Ghana’s marine environment. The future of Ghana’s oceans must be guided by the principles of sustainability, transparency and stewardship. Any potential benefits associated with offshore mineral development must therefore be carefully weighed against the risks posed to fisheries resources, marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of the millions of Ghanaians who depend on them. Yours faithfully Interested Civil Society Organisations and industry including 1. National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) 2. Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) 3. Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa (CEMLAWS Africa) 4. Global Fisheries and Resilience Action (GFRA) 5. Hen Mpoano (HM) 6. Oceana 7. Friends of the Nation (FoN) 8. Development Action Association (DAA) 9. CEWEFIA 10. CERATH Development Organisation (CDO) 11. A Rocha Ghana (ARG) 12. Oxfam13. Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) 14. Blue Ventures (BV) 15. Centre for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS) 16. National Fish Processors and Traders Association (NAFPTA) 17. The Green Teller 18. Social & Scientific Research for Development (SSRD-Global) 19. CAOPA – Ghana 20. Canoe and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) 21. Third World Network (TWN) 22. National Coalition on Mining (NCOM) 23. ⁠Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) 24. ⁠Coalition Against Galamsey Ghana Cc: 1. Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana 2. Chief of Staff, Office of the President 3. Council of State 4. Speaker of Parliament 5. Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Blue Economy 6. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources 7. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture 8. Minister for Environment, Science and Technology 9. Minister of State responsible for Climate Change and Sustainability 10. Minister for Transport 11. Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources 12. Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs 13. Environmental Protection Authority 14. Minerals Commission 15. Fisheries Commission 16. Ghana Maritime Authority 17. Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) 18. Western Regional Minister 19. Central Regional Minister 20. Western Regional House of Chiefs 21. Central Regional House of Chiefs 22. National House of Chiefs 23. Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference 24. Christian Council of Ghana 25. Office of the National Chief Imam 26. Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana 27. Deep Sea Conservation Coalition 28. All Media House