More than 100 mining-related licenses issued in the final week of Akufo-Addo’s gov’t

Data from the Ghana Mining Repository reveals that over 100 mining-related licenses were issued in the final week of former President Akufo-Addo's New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

Of the 103 licenses granted in 2025, 102 were issued between January 1st and January 6th, just before President John Dramani Mahama's inauguration.

This rapid approval process has raised concerns, as illegal mining continues to devastate forest reserves and water bodies, exacerbating public discontent.

Ghana's cocoa production, a major export, has also taken a hit, reaching its lowest levels in over two decades, significantly affecting foreign exchange earnings.

The country currently has 2,127 active mining licenses, and the implications of these approvals remain a critical topic amidst ongoing environmental and economic challenges.