Fabiola Mushi
The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has issued a warning that Ghana risks losing its coveted position as the world’s second-largest cocoa producer if urgent action is not taken to safeguard cocoa farms from illegal mining activities.
This alert follows a revelation by Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, that the organization had to return $250 million obtained from the African Development Bank for irrigation projects in cocoa farms due to water contamination in farming areas.
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Currently, Ghana holds the title of the world’s second-largest cocoa producer after Ivory Coast. The country is renowned for producing premium cocoa beans, making its cocoa highly sought after globally.
Edward Kareweh, the General Secretary of GAWU, expressed concern that rival countries are intensifying efforts to surpass Ghana in cocoa production by implementing sustainable environmental practices. He highlighted a growing trend of farmers abandoning their cocoa farms due to severe water pollution in agricultural areas.
Kareweh emphasized the diminishing profitability of cocoa production, noting that even patriotic farmers are being compelled to sell their farms amidst the challenges. He raised alarm over the government’s perceived inaction while illegal miners brazenly take over cocoa farms for mining activities.
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The GAWU representative revealed that contaminated water from illegal mining activities is being directed towards cocoa farms, resulting in the destruction of crops. He condemned the audacity of illegal miners who forcibly seize farms and render them unusable, ultimately jeopardizing Ghana’s cocoa production capacity and reputation as a producer of premium cocoa beans.
Expressing distress, Kareweh warned that Ghana’s esteemed status in cocoa production is at risk unless immediate measures are taken to address the environmental degradation and criminal activities threatening the future of the country’s cocoa industry.
With other countries intensifying efforts to enhance their cocoa production through sustainable practices, Ghana must address these issues promptly to safeguard its crucial role in the cocoa industry.
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