CSOs Call for Urgent Review of Offshore Gold Exploration Along Ghana’s Coast

Civil society organisations have called on the government to urgently review plans for offshore gold exploration along Ghana’s coastline, warning that the development could introduce a new extractive activity into marine areas that already support millions of livelihoods.

The concerns follow reported plans by Gold Coast Resource Corp. to expand its offshore exploration activities along Ghana’s western coastline. The company is said to hold 10 offshore reconnaissance licences covering roughly 10,000 square kilometres and extending for about 300 kilometres, from Half Assini to Winneba.

The proposed activities have, however, raised questions about the location and scope of the licences, the activities permitted under the current legal framework, and the possible implications for Ghana’s fisheries if exploration advances to seabed drilling and sampling.

In an open letter dated September 28 and addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, a coalition of organisations working on fisheries, coastal livelihoods and marine conservation urged the government to pause the next stage of the exploration programme until its legal, environmental and socioeconomic implications have been independently assessed.

The organisations include the Environmental Justice Foundation, Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa, Hen Mpoano, OCEANA, Friends of the Nation, Development Action Association, CEWEFIA, CERATH Development Organization, A Rocha Ghana and Oxfam.

Concerns over the Inshore Exclusion Zone

A major issue raised by the CSOs is whether portions of the offshore exploration areas overlap with Ghana’s Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ).

Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, the IEZ covers waters extending 12 nautical miles, or approximately 22 kilometres, from the coastline.

The organisations contend that a map published by Gold Coast Resource Corp. appears to show some licensed areas extending to about 33 kilometres offshore. They therefore believe parts of the licensed zones could fall within the IEZ.

However, the CSOs acknowledge that the precise extent of any overlap cannot be confirmed without access to the government's official cadastral coordinates and licence documents.

They are consequently demanding greater transparency over the licences, including details of their exact boundaries, authorised activities and operating conditions.

Exploration activities could become more intrusive

According to information cited by the organisations, exploration has already progressed at the reconnaissance stage, with about 50,000 line-kilometres of airborne magnetic data reportedly collected across the licensed areas.

A priority zone covering approximately 500 square kilometres has also reportedly been identified around the mouth of the Ankobra River.

The next proposed stages are more intensive and could involve bathymetric and seismic surveys, vibro-core drilling and bulk seabed sampling.

The CSOs say these proposed activities warrant careful scrutiny, particularly because the company has reportedly not yet established a mineral reserve, resource or economic case for commercial extraction.

They are therefore questioning whether activities that could physically disturb the seabed should proceed before the potential value of the resource and the possible environmental consequences have been properly established.

Questions over Ghana's mining laws

The coalition has also raised legal concerns regarding the proposed exploration methods.

The organisations cite Section 32(3) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, which they say restricts reconnaissance licence holders from drilling or excavating.

Based on their interpretation, the CSOs argue that proposed vibro-coring and bulk seabed sampling involving excavation or dredging could raise questions about whether such operations fall within the legal boundaries of a reconnaissance licence.

They have also referred to Section 99(6) of the Act, which they say addresses the use of floating platforms and other equipment for mining or dredging minerals in Ghana's natural water bodies, including the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The organisations are therefore calling on the government to clarify how the proposed activities, as well as any potential future extraction, would comply with Ghana's existing mining legislation.

Fisheries at the centre of the debate

The CSOs argue that any decision on offshore mineral exploration must take into account the importance of Ghana's marine fisheries.

Ghana's fisheries sector provides livelihoods for millions of people, both directly and indirectly, while fishing remains an important source of food and economic activity for coastal communities.

Figures cited by the organisations indicate that the 2022 Canoe Frame Survey recorded more than 110,000 marine artisanal fishers and over 12,000 canoes.

They also point to data from the Fisheries Commission's 2025 Annual Performance Report, which reportedly shows that artisanal fishers landed more than 282,000 metric tonnes of fish, accounting for about 63.68 percent of total landings.

For the CSOs, the issue therefore goes beyond the potential development of another mineral resource. It also concerns how Ghana manages marine space that is already essential to food security, employment and coastal livelihoods.

Environmental concerns raised

The organisations are also seeking greater assessment of the possible environmental effects of offshore exploration.

They have raised concerns about underwater noise from seismic and other acoustic surveys, increased vessel activity, seabed disturbance and sediment plumes. They also point to possible implications for benthic ecosystems, spawning areas and nursery grounds.

Marine mammals are another concern because many species rely heavily on sound for communication, navigation and feeding.

The CSOs refer to research from other parts of the world, including Alaska and Indonesia, in raising these concerns. However, they stress that evidence from those locations should not automatically be treated as proof of identical impacts in Ghana.

Instead, they argue that Ghana needs reliable scientific baseline information on its own marine environment before allowing potentially disruptive exploration activities to advance.

Balancing development with marine protection

The debate comes as Ghana pursues several initiatives aimed at protecting its marine resources, including implementation of the Marine Fisheries Management Plan 2022–2026, expansion of the IEZ and establishment of the Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area.

The CSOs say decisions on offshore mineral exploration should be assessed alongside these existing conservation and fisheries-management commitments.

They argue that the government must carefully consider whether new industrial activities in the marine environment could undermine efforts to restore fish stocks and protect coastal ecosystems.

CSOs demand disclosure of licence details

The coalition is calling on President Mahama to direct the publication of the official coordinates, licence documents, conditions and approved work programmes associated with all 10 reconnaissance licences.

They are also seeking an independent spatial assessment to determine how the licensed areas relate to:

The 12-nautical-mile Inshore Exclusion Zone;
The Greater Cape Three Points Marine Protected Area;
Important fishing grounds;
Spawning and nursery areas; and
Other environmentally sensitive marine habitats.

A decision with wider implications for Ghana

The organisations argue that the issue could ultimately set an important precedent for how Ghana manages competing activities in its marine space.

As the country explores opportunities linked to the blue economy, fisheries, tourism and offshore mineral resources, decisions surrounding the Gold Coast Resource Corp. project could influence how similar developments are assessed in the future.

The CSOs are therefore asking the government to conduct a transparent review and determine whether the existing licences should remain unchanged, be adjusted to protect sensitive areas, or be cancelled where applicable under the law and available evidence.

For now, the organisations maintain that the commercial viability of an offshore gold resource has not yet been established, while the economic and social importance of Ghana's marine environment is already well documented.

Their central concern is therefore whether Ghana can pursue potential offshore mineral opportunities without putting existing marine ecosystems, fisheries and the livelihoods that depend on them at unnecessary risk.