The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has issued a warning, highlighting that Ghana risks losing its esteemed position as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer unless stringent measures are implemented to safeguard cocoa farms from illegal mining activities.
This caution follows revelations by Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, who disclosed that the organization has returned $250 million obtained from the African Development Bank for irrigation purposes in cocoa farms due to water body contamination in farming regions.
Presently, Ghana holds the esteemed position of being the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, trailing only behind Ivory Coast. Additionally, Ghana produces premium cocoa beans globally, rendering its cocoa highly preferred.
Edward Kareweh, General Secretary of GAWU, highlighted that other nations are intensifying efforts to surpass Ghana in cocoa production by promoting sustainable environmental practices.
He further noted that escalating water pollution levels in farming areas are prompting more farmers to abandon their farms.
“It’s no more lucrative to be in cocoa production. There are many factors which are real. Even the cocoa farmers who are patriotic and insist that they will not sell their farms and stay with their farms are forced to sell them out”.
He revealed that while the government remains indifferent, illegal miners are forcibly encroaching on cocoa farms without consequences for mining activities.
Mr. Kareweh emphasized that contaminated water bodies are being diverted to cocoa farms, resulting in the destruction of the plants.
“The illegal miners will flood your farms with all the dirty water and will take your farm by force. You cannot even enter the farm again. It is so pathetic and heartbreaking that we can sit down and allow such a monumental criminal act to continue. This crime is against generations to come”.
Expressing distress, Mr. Kareweh voiced concern that Ghana is on the verge of losing its production capacity and longstanding reputation as the producer of premium cocoa beans.