Fishermen Call for Pause on Offshore Gold Exploration Plans

Fishing associations and coastal communities have asked the government to stop GoldCoast Resource Corp from moving forward with offshore gold exploration.

The groups say the company received ten separate offshore reconnaissance licences that cover about 10,000 square kilometres of Ghana’s western sea area.

Their request follows a letter sent to state authorities highlighting the large size of the licences and the possible effects on fishing and coastal life.

The licences stretch roughly 300 kilometres from Half Assini to Winneba and include waters that support thousands of small‑scale fishers, processors and traders.

The groups acknowledge Ghana’s right to develop mineral resources but argue that the scale and location of the licences need closer examination.

They point out that a reconnaissance licence does not permit actual mining or commercial extraction.

Nevertheless, they say reported activities such as geophysical surveys, seismic tests, core drilling and sediment sampling could still harm the marine environment.

There are also worries that future prospecting or shallow‑water dredging might follow if the project is allowed to continue.

To avoid risk to fisheries and marine ecosystems, the groups want the government to suspend any further steps until an independent review is completed.

The review, they say, must look at how the licences were granted, their exact boundaries, the technical and economic reasons for the project and the planned work programme.

It should also assess the level of consultation with affected fishing communities and examine the potential environmental and livelihood impacts.

No date has been set for the review and the government has not yet responded publicly to the request.