Cocoa farmers in Fanteakwa South District and Abuakwa North municipality in Eastern Region are pleading with COCOBOD and the Minerals Commission to impose a ban on Nawara Mining Company Limited from mining in Cocoa growing communities.
The farmers claim that the mining activities of the company have resulted in the destruction of approximately 10,000 acres of cocoa farms, significantly impacting the livelihoods of hundreds of farmers in the region.
Humphrey Ayisi, the leader of the affected cocoa farmers, emphasized the severe consequences of the ongoing destruction and urged authorities to swiftly intervene to prevent further harm. The farmers have officially petitioned COCOBOD, seeking urgent action against the mining company.
Highlighting the historical significance of cocoa farming for their families, the farmers expressed concerns about the negative impact of losing their farms.
They said due to the fear of uncompensated loss, the farmers engaged in compulsory negotiations with the mining company, resulting in the substantial loss of cocoa farms—a situation COCOBOD views with dissatisfaction.
In response to the crisis, Ghana COCOBOD has strongly criticized Nawara Mining Company for the extensive destruction of cocoa farms. Prof. Michael Kwateng, Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Unit of Ghana COCOBOD, has called on the Minerals Commission to conduct thorough prospecting before granting mining concessions in cocoa-growing areas.
Prof. Kwateng expressed concern over insufficient prospecting, linking it to the widespread destruction of cocoa farms in Ghana. He pointed out that mining concessions covering cocoa farms are sometimes allocated without the consent of COCOBOD, a violation of clear legal provisions.
Emphasizing the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in the process, Prof. Kwateng reiterated COCOBOD’s commitment to addressing the unlawful destruction of cocoa trees through the Economic Plant Protection Act.
The call is now for swift and comprehensive measures to safeguard the interests of cocoa farmers and the cocoa industry as a whole.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
