Nana Oboadie Bonsu II, National President of the Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana (CFA-Ghana), popularly known as the “Farmer General,” has raised serious concerns over the ongoing destruction of cocoa farms by illegal mining activities.
He has warned that Ghana’s focus on gold at the expense of cocoa could have long-term consequences for the nation.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on February 3, Nana Bonsu stressed the importance of cocoa to the country’s economy.
“In Ghana, we don’t eat gold, but at least we can eat cocoa. Yet today, most attention seems to be on gold, and Cocobod is being overlooked and that is not good for our farmers or the nation” he said.
He explained that while much of the work CFA-Ghana does happens behind the scenes, the organization is active on the ground, monitoring cocoa farms, speaking to farmers, and raising awareness about the threat of galamsey.
“Most of the issues we know, we cannot say in public, because it may bring problems. But we are out there every day. We even sell brooms to buy fuel so we can visit farms and interact with farmers,” he said.
Nana Bonsu disclosed specific examples of the crisis, recounting incidents where traditional authorities have allowed cocoa lands to be destroyed for other purposes.
“In one town in the Ashanti Region, some cocoa farmers told us that the chief said he doesn’t like cocoa farms and wants to convert them into plots. Nothing has been done about it,” he said.
On the broader threat of galamsey to cocoa, he added,
“Galamsey has been destroying cocoa farms for a long time. Anyone who says there is no galamsey is lying. We are on the ground, we see it happening.”
The Farmer General also criticized government and civil society engagement, claiming that despite invitations, the CFA-Ghana was not consulted during high-level discussions on cocoa and galamsey.
“When President Mahama invites CSOs, there were so many things we wanted to tell him, but we were not invited. Even those who spoke, what did they do? Nothing. We are sitting on a time bomb,” he warned.
Nana Bonsu also stressed that Ghana’s obsession with gold over food security could have dire consequences.
“Where this world is going now, everyone is protecting their land and the environment. But here we are, thinking about gold instead of cocoa. Our third world war won’t be about gold, we cannot eat gold. How much food storage do we have compared to gold? We must protect what feeds our nation” he said.
He cited further examples from the field, including a recent visit to Wa, where he found that over 200 acres of land had been allocated for galamsey, despite efforts to persuade locals to stop.
“If someone says galamsey is not happening, they are lying. Our cocoa farms are being destroyed, and if nothing changes, the consequences will be severe,” he concluded.
ALSO READ:
