Over the years, cocoa beans have been of immense significance and glory to the country Ghana — even prior to independence.
However, the issue of illegal mining, also referred to as ‘Galamsey’, may be the downfall of this age-old legacy, if the necessary measures to curb this menace are not provided.
The former Chief Executive Officer for the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Henry Kotofu, stated this warning during a public lecture held at the Kumasi Technical University, where he divulged the country’s current economic and social vulnerability if the various illegal miners in Ghana are not called to book.
According to Ghbuzznews.com findings, the mining activities of these small-scale miners are affecting the lands of the local cocoa farmers, and this can render the contamination and destruction of the cocoa produce as days go by.
“It is important to note that the cocoa industry, which has been the backbone of our economy, is in critical condition because of illegal mining. Apart from depriving the farmlands and making it unhealthy for planting, cocoa is being made unwholesome and, very soon, the world market will come after us, accusing us of availing poisoned cocoa, which will be a very bad account for us as a nation.”
Mr. Henry Kotofu, therefore, pleaded with the ruling government to attend to the matter and provide solutions as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the recent price of a bag of cocoa beans has been increased by 58.26% to Gh₵2,070; which makes cocoa beans worth Gh₵33,120.00 per tonne.
COCOBOD has emphasized, further, that these increments have been implemented to improve the income of all cocoa farmers, nationwide, and to discourage the smuggling of cocoa beans to neighbouring countries.
