Former Member of Parliament for Effia in the Western Region, Joseph Cudjoe, has commended fishermen for raising concerns that led to the suspension of offshore gold exploration activities in the country’s shallow continental shelf.
He has described the intervention as a critical step towards preventing the potential destruction of marine resources, warning that Ghana must not allow the environmental damage associated with illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, to be replicated in its territorial waters.
In a statement addressing the controversy surrounding offshore gold exploration licences reportedly granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd., Mr Cudjoe questioned the circumstances under which the licences were issued and whether adequate consultations with fishing communities and environmental safeguards were in place before the decision was taken.
According to the former legislator, the intervention by fishermen highlights the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and safeguarding the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing and related economic activities.
Mr Cudjoe said offshore gold reconnaissance licences were reportedly granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd. on February 9, 2026, to undertake exploration activities within Ghana’s shallow continental shelf.
However, concerns raised by fishermen over the potential effects of the proposed activities on marine resources and fishing livelihoods prompted further attention to the matter.
He indicated that the Office of the President subsequently confirmed in a letter dated October 9, 2026, that the licence had been suspended.
The suspension, he suggested, represents an important intervention to protect coastal communities from the potential consequences of offshore gold exploration.
The circumstances surrounding the issuance and subsequent suspension of the licences have also raised questions about the processes followed before the authorisation was granted.
Mr Cudjoe believes the government must provide a clear explanation of the basis for granting the licences, particularly in view of the potential implications for fishing communities and Ghana’s marine environment.
The former Effia MP further raised concerns about the reported geographical scope of the proposed exploration, indicating that the licence area spans approximately 300 kilometres of coastline.
He warned that activities within such an extensive area could have implications for fishing communities, fish processors, traders and other people whose livelihoods depend on marine resources.
According to him, any potential threat to fishing activities could extend beyond fishermen to affect the broader coastal economy, including the supply of fish to local markets and the incomes of households engaged in fish processing and trading.
He stressed that the concerns raised by fishing communities should not be treated lightly, given the importance of marine resources to livelihoods and food security.
Mr Cudjoe consequently commended the National Fisheries Association of Ghana for drawing attention to the issue and helping to bring the concerns of fishing communities to the fore.
He maintained that the potential risks to coastal livelihoods and the country’s food supply warranted a comprehensive assessment before any offshore exploration activities could proceed.
Mr Cudjoe’s intervention has also brought renewed attention to questions about stakeholder consultation and environmental protection in decisions involving the exploitation of natural resources.
He questioned why the licences were granted in the first place and whether fishing communities had been adequately consulted before the authorisation was issued.
The former legislator also raised concerns about the adequacy of environmental safeguards designed to protect marine ecosystems from potential damage associated with offshore exploration.
For communities that depend heavily on fishing, the condition of the marine environment is directly linked to economic security and access to food.
Any activity that potentially threatens fish stocks, marine habitats or fishing grounds could have consequences for the livelihoods of people along the coast.
Mr Cudjoe’s concerns underscore the need for the government and relevant regulatory institutions to provide clarity on the licensing process, the environmental assessments undertaken and the consultations held with affected stakeholders.
However, the concerns raised about potential environmental damage do not, in themselves, establish that the proposed exploration would necessarily cause harm. A thorough scientific assessment and disclosure of the relevant regulatory documentation would be necessary to determine the risks associated with the project.
Drawing a comparison between illegal mining on land and the proposed offshore gold exploration, Mr Cudjoe warned against allowing Ghana’s marine environment to suffer the kind of destruction associated with galamsey.
He argued that the country’s seas, rivers and forests require strong protection because of their importance to environmental sustainability, economic activity and the livelihoods of present and future generations.
Illegal mining has generated widespread concerns in Ghana over environmental degradation, particularly the pollution of water bodies and the destruction of forest reserves.
Mr Cudjoe believes the country must learn from those experiences and avoid decisions that could expose its marine resources to similar risks.
He stressed that the sea is a critical national resource that sustains fishing communities and contributes significantly to food security.
The former MP’s position is that the protection of marine resources must remain a priority in any decision involving offshore mineral exploration, especially where the potential consequences for coastal communities have not been fully established.
Mr Cudjoe has called on the government to explain the rationale behind the granting of the offshore gold reconnaissance licences and to ensure that the concerns of fishing communities are fully addressed.
He maintained that the reported suspension of the licence should be accompanied by adequate scrutiny of the processes that led to its issuance.
He also called for the concerns of fishermen and other stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on marine resources to be taken into account before any further decisions are made concerning the proposed exploration.
The issues raised include the extent of stakeholder consultation, the adequacy of environmental safeguards and the potential consequences of offshore gold exploration for fishing activities and food security.
For the former legislator, the intervention by fishermen demonstrates the importance of public participation and community advocacy in decisions that could affect the environment and livelihoods.
The government is expected to provide further clarity on the licensing decision, the reasons for the suspension and any conditions that would need to be satisfied before the proposed exploration could be reconsidered.
Until those issues are adequately addressed, the controversy is likely to remain a significant concern for fishing communities and other stakeholders interested in protecting Ghana’s marine resources.
By 1960news.com
