Cocoa farmers in the Suaman District of the Western North Region have made a passionate appeal to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), calling for urgent intervention to halt the destructive activities of illegal miners which they say are threatening their cocoa farms and livelihoods.
The farmers raised their concerns during a visit by the COCOBOD CEO, Dr Randy Abbey, to the district as part of his regional tour to engage with cocoa stakeholders and assess challenges facing the cocoa sector.
Speaking ro media, the affected farmers lamented the rapid encroachment of illegal miners onto their cocoa farms, leading to the destruction of fertile lands, contamination of water bodies, and loss of productive farmland.
They expressed fear that if immediate action is not taken, the situation could lead to a significant drop in cocoa production and push many families into poverty.
They indicated that the cocoa farms are their only source of livelihood, but these illegal miners are destroying everything. They said the government must act now to protect them.
The farmers urged the COCOBOD CEO to use his office to press the government to clamp down on galamsey activities in the district. They also appealed for more support in protecting cocoa-growing areas from further degradation.
In response, the COCOBOD CEO, Dr. Randy Abbey expressed concern over the situation and assured the farmers that their concerns would be relayed to the appropriate authorities.
Not only about the illegal mining, he also expressed worry about the previous government failure to complete even one-third of the cocoa rehabilitation initiative despite spending all the allocated funds.
Meanwhile, he reaffirmed COCOBOD’s commitment to protecting cocoa farmers and sustaining Ghana’s cocoa industry.
He said cocoa farming must be protected at all costs because It is a national asset and a key pillar of the economy.
The Suaman District, like many others in the Western North Region, has been a hotspot for illegal mining, raising alarms over environmental destruction and threats to agriculture.
Farmers in the area hope that their appeal will prompt swift government action to safeguard their farms and restore order in the region.
DR RANDY ABBEY; COCOBOD CEO
