NAFAG Urges Suspension: Gold Coast GRC License Halted

• The National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) had called for the suspension of an offshore gold exploration license granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd., and the Minerals Commission has since suspended all activities under the license.
• The petition, dated October 6, 2026, demands clarification on the exploration's impact on fisheries, marine habitats, and coastal livelihoods.
• NAFAG is concerned about the 10,000 square kilometer licensed area's potential overlap with the Inshore Exclusion Zone and its proximity to Ghana's first Marine Protected Area.
• The association questions whether a Fisheries Impact Assessment, as required by Section 50 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, has been completed.
• NAFAG also highlights a lack of transparency in the consultation process, specifically not receiving a report from a July 9, 2026, stakeholder meeting.

NAFAG underscores the imperative that Ghana's invaluable marine resources must be managed in a manner that simultaneously protects vital fisheries, ensures national food security, and sustains coastal livelihoods, while also accommodating responsible investment in the nation's natural resource sector.

The National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) had formally requested the government to halt an offshore reconnaissance license issued to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd. The Minerals Commission has since suspended all activities under the license. This license permits gold exploration activities across Ghana's shallow continental shelf. The association, representing five significant fisheries groups, submitted a petition on October 6, 2026, signed by its President, Nana Joojo Solomon, and addressed to the President.

NAFAG's primary demand is for the suspension of operations until comprehensive consultations with the fishing industry are conducted. The group seeks clarity regarding the potential ramifications of the exploration program on vital fisheries resources, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

A central point of contention for NAFAG revolves around the sheer scale of the licensed area, the adequacy of stakeholder engagement, and the enforcement of environmental and fisheries safeguards. The exploration firm, Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd., has been granted ten offshore reconnaissance licenses, collectively encompassing approximately 10,000 square kilometers. This vast expanse stretches along about 300 kilometers of Ghana's coastline, specifically between Half Assini and Winneba, extending roughly 33 kilometers offshore.

NAFAG's analysis of the company’s published maps suggests that portions of this licensed territory might overlap with Ghana's Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ), which extends up to 12 nautical miles, or approximately 22 kilometers, from the shoreline. The association has called for the official publication of cadastral coordinates and license instruments to definitively ascertain the precise extent of any such overlap. Furthermore, NAFAG highlighted the proximity of the licensed area to Greater Cape Three Points, a region where Ghana inaugurated its inaugural Marine Protected Area (MPA) at Busua on April 14, 2026, as part of its broader marine conservation initiatives, raising Ghana marine protected area concerns.

NAFAG's concerns are also grounded in specific legal provisions, particularly Section 50 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146). This legislative clause mandates that any entity planning an activity, other than fishing, that is likely to significantly impact fishery or other aquatic resources must first notify the Fisheries Commission. Following this notification, the Commission possesses the authority to require a comprehensive Fisheries Impact Assessment (FIA) or to issue recommendations aimed at preventing or minimizing potential adverse effects.

The association has indicated it has not been able to confirm whether the requisite fisheries assessment process was completed for the Gold Coast GRC Ghana Ltd. project and is seeking clarification from the relevant governmental bodies regarding a Ghana environmental impact assessment. Additionally, NAFAG has questioned the transparency and effectiveness of the consultation process. While a stakeholder meeting reportedly took place at the Accra City Hotel on July 9, 2026, NAFAG asserts that it has not yet received the official report from this crucial gathering.

In light of these significant concerns, NAFAG has urged the government to take several decisive actions before allowing the exploration program to proceed. These include establishing the exact geographical locations and specific conditions of the licenses, clarifying the applicable fisheries and environmental safeguards, and ensuring genuinely meaningful consultation with all affected stakeholders.

The association specifically appealed to President Mahama and the pertinent agencies to suspend any further exploration activities until these critical steps are completed. NAFAG underscores the imperative that Ghana's invaluable marine resources must be managed in a manner that simultaneously protects vital fisheries, ensures national food security, and sustains coastal livelihoods, while also accommodating responsible investment in the nation's natural resource sector. This approach, they argue, is essential for long-term sustainability.

This development signals increased scrutiny on environmental and fisheries impact assessments and stakeholder consultation for offshore exploration projects in Ghana. Legal and compliance teams advising companies in the extractive sector should review their licensing processes to ensure full adherence to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025, and mitigate potential legal challenges or project delays.

Source: Original reporting via Graphic online