In a move to protect Ghana’s cocoa industry, Deputy Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has expressed concern over the increasing trend of cocoa farmers abandoning their farms for illegal mining. Dumelo attributes this shift to the low cocoa prices, leaving farmers struggling to make ends meet.
During his vetting by the Appointments Committee Parliament, Dumelo emphasized the need for improved cocoa pricing to discourage farmers from selling their farmlands to illegal miners. He believes offering competitive prices would incentivize farmers to preserve their lands, instead of turning to mining for economic survival.
The impact of illegal mining on cocoa production is alarming. In 2011, Ghana produced a record-breaking one million tonnes of cocoa, but by 2015, production had dropped to 740,000 tonnes due to the rise of galamsey mining.
Dumelo also stressed the need for better regulations in the mining sector to minimize its adverse effects on agriculture. As Ghana struggles to balance its economy, the fate of its cocoa farmers hangs in the balance.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
