Ghana’s Axim fishermen reassured over offshore mining research
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on 3News
Fishermen from Axim, Butre and Shama in western Ghana say they better understand the marine scientific research and environmental demonstration programme proposed by Gold Coast GRC Ghana Limited after three days of discussions. They had feared the offshore activities concealed seabed mining that could threaten fishing and the marine environment. According to Michael Nokoe, vice-president of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council, the immediate aim is to establish whether gold deposits exist offshore.
The maritime research programme proposed by Gold Coast GRC Ghana Limited is initially aimed at determining whether gold deposits exist off the Ghanaian coast, rather than exploiting minerals in territorial waters. Fishermen from Axim, Butre and Shama said they had gained a better understanding of the project after three days of discussions with the company, according to 3News.
Michael Nokoe, vice-president of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council in the Western Region, explained that the first information received by communities indicated mining activity. Company representatives subsequently presented the programme as a scientific study to search for possible offshore deposits, 3News reports. Participants also questioned the company about illegal mining, which its representatives said was not being pursued as part of the programme.
Emelia Abeka-Adu, a fish processor from the Axim community, also said the discussions had helped her understand the scientific nature of the programme. Michael Nokoe said he intended to pass these explanations on to other fishermen and the public, according to 3News.
