Fishing communities demand revocation of offshore gold exploration licences over livelihood concerns

They warn that offshore gold exploration and potential exploitation could damage marine habitats, deplete fish stocks and disrupt access to traditional fishing grounds, with serious consequences for fishing communities and the wider fisheries sector.

The Association of Artisanal Fishing Communities is demanding an immediate and complete halt to offshore gold exploration, warning that the activities could threaten fish stocks, coastal livelihoods and Ghana’s food security.“Activities that damage marine habitats, disrupt fish populations, or restrict access to fishing grounds risk turning a living ocean into a liquid desert depleted of fish, stripped of its biodiversity, and unable to sustain the communities that have depended on it for generations,” he said.