Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Unit at Ghana COCOBOD, Prof. Michael Kwateng, has issued a stern warning about the potential cancellation of Cocoa road projects if illegal mining activities persist, leading to the destruction of cocoa farms.
Prof. Kwateng emphasized the adverse effects of galamsey activities on cocoa production, highlighting a significant reduction in the projected cocoa output. COCOBOD, aiming to purchase 850,000 tonnes of cocoa this year, has fallen short, unable to reach even 700,000 tonnes due to the influence of illegal mining and smuggling.
Facing financial challenges resulting from this decline, COCOBOD has shifted its focus. The current priority is the completion of ongoing Cocoa Road construction projects.
Prof. Kwateng indicated that once these projects are completed, COCOBOD may refrain from awarding new contracts, indicating a potential halt to future cocoa road initiatives.
“Illegal mining is having negative implications on cocoa production. This year we projected to purchase 850,000 tonnes, but as we speak now, we have not hit even 700,000 tonnes, which means galamsey and smuggling are affecting cocoa production.”
He added “I have recommended that cocoa road projects should be cancelled because illegal miners have destroyed the cocoa farms. So very soon COCOBOD will stop cocoa road projects,” Prof. Kwateng said.
Prof. Kwateng delivered a crucial message during an engagement between the Anti-Illegal Mining Unit of COCOBOD, local chiefs, and cocoa farmers in Akyem Asafo, Eastern region.
The meeting was prompted by a petition from cocoa farmers in Akyem Asafo who expressed concern about the Chief of Akyem Asafo, Nana Barima Boampong Darkwanin, seizing 860 acres of cocoa farms. The land, originally designated for military bases, was instead repurposed for illegal mining.
Prof. Michael Kwateng, addressing the Chiefs and farmers, underscored the legal consequences outlined in the Economic Plant and Protection Act, Article 47. This legislation prohibits the sale of cocoa farms and any destruction of cocoa plants without the consent of Ghana COCOBOD. Individuals found violating this law are susceptible to legal consequences.
The Concerned Farmers Association of Akyem Asafo lamented the ongoing destruction of their cocoa farms for illegal mining, emphasizing the erosion of their livelihood. They urgently called for COCOBOD’s intervention to combat this menace.