Former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kokofu, expressed concern over the detrimental effects of illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey,’ on cocoa production in the nation.
He highlighted that aside from encroaching on the lands of local farmers, the illicit activities of illegal miners are also contaminating the vital commodity – cocoa.
Kokofu warned that Ghana’s cocoa could potentially face a ban from the global market due to the contamination of cocoa beans.
During a public lecture at Kumasi Technical University, Mr. Kokofu conveyed these sentiments.
“It is important to note that the cocoa industry which has been the backbone of our economy is in dire straits because of illegal mining. Apart from depriving the farmlands and making it unavailable for farming, cocoa is being contaminated and very soon, the world market will come after us and cite contamination in our cocoa beans and that will be a very bad story for us as a people.”
Consequently, he urged the government to promptly investigate and resolve this issue.
Meanwhile, the price of cocoa beans has been increased from GH¢20,928 per tonne to GH¢33,120.00 for the remainder of the 2023/2024 cocoa season.
According to COCOBOD, this adjustment aims to boost the income of cocoa farmers and deter the smuggling of cocoa beans to neighboring countries.