The Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Unit at Ghana COCOBOD, Prof. Michael Kwateng, has issued a warning that continued illegal mining activities may lead to the cancellation of Cocoa road projects due to the destruction of cocoa farms.
Prof. Kwateng has highlighted the adverse effects of galamsey activities on cocoa production, resulting in a significant reduction in the projected cocoa yield. COCOBOD had initially aimed to purchase 850,000 tonnes of cocoa this year but has fallen significantly short, unable to reach even 700,000 tonnes due to the influence of illegal mining and smuggling.
The financial challenges faced by COCOBOD as a consequence of this decline have forced a change in priorities. The primary focus now is on completing ongoing Cocoa Roads construction projects.
Prof. Kwateng has indicated that once these projects are completed, COCOBOD may refrain from awarding new contracts, potentially signaling a 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.
During an engagement between the Anti-Illegal Mining Unit of COCOBOD, local chiefs, and cocoa farmers in Akyem Asafo, Eastern Region, Prof. Kwateng addressed the issue.
The engagement was prompted by a petition from cocoa farmers in Akyem Asafo, expressing concern over the seizure of 860 acres of cocoa farms by the Chief of Akyem Asafo, Nana Barima Boampong Darkwanin.
This land was supposedly acquired for the establishment of military bases but was instead used for illegal mining. Prof. Michael Kwateng emphasized the legal repercussions under the Economic Plant and Protection Act, Article 47, which prohibits the sale of cocoa farms and any destruction of cocoa plants without the consent of Ghana COCOBOD.
Individuals found in violation of this law may face legal consequences. The Concerned Farmers Association of Akyem Asafo has decried the ongoing destruction of their cocoa farms for illegal mining, emphasizing the erosion of their livelihood source, and has called for COCOBOD’s intervention to address this issue.