Minority Leader and Fishing Industry Urge President Mahama to Address Mining and Environmental Threats

Ghana’s mining and environmental policies are under intense scrutiny as both the parliamentary Minority and the fishing industry demand urgent intervention from President John Mahama’s administration. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised alarms over the unchecked spread of illegal mining (galamsey) and the structural failings of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), while the National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG) and civil society organizations (CSOs) are petitioning for the suspension of a massive offshore gold exploration project. These developments highlight a growing national consensus on the need for stricter resource management to protect forest reserves, water bodies, and coastal livelihoods.

During a high-level meeting with the Christian Council of Ghana, Afenyo-Markin criticized the current structure of GoldBod, alleging that it inadvertently encourages illegal mining by failing to distinguish between legally and illegally sourced gold. He warned that galamsey is on the verge of wiping out critical forest reserves, including the Atewa Forest, and has led to severe contamination of national water supplies—a concern he underscored by referencing his tenure as a former chairman of the Ghana Water Company. The Minority Leader also called for transparency regarding reported US$1.7 billion losses linked to the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and condemned what he described as the selective prosecution of opposition figures, urging the Council to support constitutional reforms and greater government accountability.

Simultaneously, the fishing industry has directed its grievances to President Mahama, seeking the immediate suspension of a reconnaissance license granted to GoldCoast Resource Corp for gold exploration along Ghana’s continental shelf. In a petition dated October 6, 2026, NAFAG President Nana Joojo Solomon expressed deep concern over the 10,000-square-kilometer exploration area, which reportedly overlaps with the Inshore Exclusion Zone reserved for artisanal fishers. A coalition of CSOs and fishing communities joined this call, arguing that the project lacks adequate stakeholder consultation and could cause irreversible damage to marine habitats and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians dependent on the blue economy. They are demanding a comprehensive Fisheries Impact Assessment and a transparent review of all offshore mining licenses.

As pressure mounts on executive and regulatory bodies, public sentiment reflects a growing impatience with political solutions to the environmental crisis. Social commentator Efia Odo recently voiced frustration with the political class, accusing both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to match their campaign rhetoric with decisive action against galamsey. The convergence of concerns from parliamentary leaders, religious groups, and industrial stakeholders suggests a critical turning point for the Mahama administration. The government now faces the challenge of balancing resource extraction with the urgent need for environmental preservation and the protection of traditional industries.