The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IX, has warned that illegal mining activities around the Greater Cape Three Points enclave are threatening Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA) and putting the livelihoods of coastal communities at risk.
Speaking to Connect News on July 20, the chief said the rapid spread of galamsey in the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve and nearby coastal areas is causing severe environmental destruction that could undermine years of conservation efforts.
“If you go into that forest reserve, and see the destruction that is going on, you will cry as a Ghanaian,” he said.
Coastal waters under threat
The traditional ruler said pollution from illegal mining is already affecting the sea, comparing the situation to the heavily polluted Pra River in Shama.
“That water is also changing colour, like what is happening with the Pra River in Shama,” he stated.
He noted that the Greater Cape Three Points area was designated as Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area to help restore declining fish stocks and protect marine biodiversity.
According to him, chemicals released from illegal mining upstream are flowing into the sea, changing the water’s composition and forcing fish to migrate.
“When the sea changes colour, definitely because of the chemicals used in illegal mining, the fish will not stay there. They will also try to survive… they will go deeper into the sea. It is also going to affect that arrangement. This is a very serious crisis,” he warned.
Marine sanctuary faces growing pressure
Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang officially declared the Greater Cape Three Points area as Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area in April 2026.
The 700-square-kilometre protected zone, stretching between Ampatano and Domunli, was created to restore fish stocks, conserve marine biodiversity and improve livelihoods in 21 coastal communities.
The area is recognised as an important habitat for sardinella, whales, dolphins and endangered sea turtles. However, conservationists fear pollution from illegal mining could undermine those objectives.
Forest reserve under attack
The adjoining Cape Three Points Forest Reserve has also come under increasing pressure from illegal miners.
Reports indicate that excavators and locally manufactured “changfan” machines are operating deep within the protected forest despite repeated enforcement operations by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
Although several suspects have been arrested and equipment seized, illegal miners have reportedly returned to the area after security operations.
Conservationists call for urgent action
Director of the Takoradi-based marine conservation organisation Hen Mpoano, Stephen Kankam, has called for stronger law enforcement to protect the reserve and surrounding water bodies.
“There should be immediate law enforcement within the Cape Three Points Reserve, adjoining rivers, watersheds and streams to flush out all the illegal miners, and also establish permanent protection camps within the forest to ensure continuous enforcement,” he said.
Kankam stressed that the forest, rivers, mangroves and marine protected area form one interconnected ecosystem and should be managed together through stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
He warned that unless illegal mining is stopped, the Marine Protected Area would struggle to achieve its goal of rebuilding Ghana’s declining fish stocks.
“At the moment, with the ongoing trend in illegal mining activities and the pollution washing down the marine protected area, I think this will be a ‘pipe dream’ in terms of the marine protected area’s contribution to fish stock recovery,” he added.
