According to Mr. Asuman, the destructive activities of illegal miners are rapidly eroding the foundations of cocoa production by destroying vast stretches of fertile farmland, polluting critical water bodies, and drawing labour away from cocoa farms.

Speaking at Samahu in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality during the presentation of the Cocoa Farmers Support Programme organised by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, he said more than 19,000 hectares of productive cocoa farms have already been lost to illegal mining activities in major cocoa-producing regions, including Ashanti, Western and Central.

He noted that excavators are being deployed on cocoa lands to remove topsoil and create deep mining pits, leaving once-thriving plantations permanently damaged.

“Illegal mining is currently the biggest obstacle facing Ghana’s cocoa industry. It is destroying fertile land, contaminating our rivers with harmful chemicals and creating labour shortages that are affecting cocoa production across the country,” he stated.

Mr. Asuman warned that the continued destruction of cocoa farms is contributing to declining national output and reducing Ghana’s cocoa export volumes, with serious implications for foreign exchange earnings and the financial sustainability of COCOBOD.

He explained that falling production levels are limiting the cocoa regulator’s ability to meet its financial obligations and support programmes aimed at improving the welfare of cocoa farmers.

“If urgent measures are not implemented, the cocoa industry in Ghana will perish,” he cautioned.

The Cocoa Farmers Support Programme forms part of efforts to boost cocoa yields, improve household incomes and strengthen the long-term resilience of farming communities in cocoa-growing areas.

The Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni Valley, Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, also expressed concern about the growing trend of cocoa farmers selling their lands to illegal miners in exchange for immediate financial gains.

He said many farmers fail to appreciate the long-term value of cocoa cultivation, opting instead for short-term benefits that ultimately leave them worse off.

“The money they take from galamsey operators may sustain them for a short period, but cocoa is a lifelong investment that can support generations,” the MP noted.

Mr. Cudjoe commended initiatives such as the Gold Fields Foundation’s support programme, saying they provide much-needed incentives for farmers to remain committed to cocoa production and resist the temptation to engage in illegal mining activities.

Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdel Razak Yakubu, said the programme is designed to increase cocoa productivity, raise farmers’ incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods in both mining and cocoa-growing communities.

He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the economic well-being of farmers while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Samuel Adimado, president of the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association, disclosed the figures during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express programme on Tuesday. He said the prolonged delays in reimbursements are disrupting the cocoa supply chain and creating financial stress for cocoa stakeholders.

According to Mr. Adimado, LBCs are licensed by COCOBOD to purchase cocoa directly from farmers and deliver it to designated takeover centres. However, he explained that under the current operational framework, LBCs often pay farmers out of their own funds and must wait months to be paid back.

He said this long-standing practice, which has lasted about seven years, involves borrowing from banks to finance cocoa purchases. In some recent seasons, the delay has stretched as long as nine months, leaving buyers with heavy liabilities.

Mr. Adimado noted that the payment delays have led to misunderstandings in farming communities, with some farmers mistakenly believing that LBCs are withholding payments after delivering cocoa to COCOBOD. He stressed that the association held a recent press briefing to clarify its position and reaffirm its commitment to cocoa farmers.

He added that LBCs are also facing pressure from banks, saying they now owe lenders more than they owe farmers in outstanding debts. Despite the challenges, the association says it is engaging with COCOBOD and expects the Ministry of Finance to support efforts to resolve the funding issues.

The cocoa sector remains a key pillar of Ghana’s economy. Delays in payment along the value chain, however, threaten the stability of purchasing operations and could affect farmers’ earnings if not addressed.

source:Myjoyonline

Cocoa farmers in Ghana’s Assin Fosu District are urging the government to keep politics out of the cocoa sector, arguing that partisan interference is hindering fair pricing and industry stability. Award-winning farmer Samuel Tobi, with 36 acres across three farms including Otabil Nkwanta, highlighted how new governments swap experienced officials for political allies, disrupting cocoa management at COCOBOD.

source: myjoyonline