Data from the Ghana Mining Repository shows that over a hundred mining-related licenses were issued in the last week of former President Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

Out of the 103 licenses issued in the year 2025, 102 were granted between January 1st and January 6th, before the swearing-in of President John Dramani Mahama.

This means only one license has been issued under the current government.

These include 21 small-scale mining licenses, prospecting licenses, and mining support services licenses.

This brings the total active licenses across the country to 2,127.

This development is particularly concerning amidst heightened public uproar over the impact of illegal mining on the country, particularly the destruction of forest reserves and water bodies.

This has affected major export commodities such as cocoa, yielding low production and being unable to meet the demands of buyers.

According to reports, Ghana experienced its lowest cocoa production in over 2 decades in the last season, reducing foreign exchange benefits.