The Ghana Cocoa Board is encouraging cocoa farmers to report invasion of their farms by illegal miners to their quarters for a swift response.
Through the COCOBOD’s Special Services Department, credible information on illegal mining in cocoa farms is supplied to the security agencies for redress.
Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Jerome Sam, says the institution has stepped up efforts to deal with the menace which poses a threat to cocoa sustainability.
“We also have the tree protection unit under the office of the Chief Executive, they receive complains about illegal activities, bring their reports and we also submit it to the necessary security agencies for them to follow up,” he emphasized.
It is estimated that at least 35,000 hectares of cocoa farms have been destroyed by illegal mining activities.
This is among reasons for the decline in cocoa production in the country.
Though some farmers have willingly given out their farms to miners, many are forcefully taken over.
The COCOBOD says it is strengthening systems to deal with invasion of farms to safeguard the industry.
The COCOBOD is enhancing other factors to improve productivity.
Already, distribution of fertilizers and other inputs are being rolled out for farmers.
“We know fertilizers are coming and agro chemicals as well, but they want it in certain quantities which we have agreed to supply,” he added.
Meanwhile, cocoa farmers have lauded the recent increase in prices of cocoa but called for the strengthening of measures to deal with illegal mining.
Source: Nana Yaw Gyimah
