The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo has indicated that Galamsey activities is affecting the production of Cocoa in the country
He explained that, in the 2021/2022 crop season, COCOBOD was able to produce 1million metric tonnes of cocoa beans after breaking a 10year production record in the previous year but galamsey activities coupled with other factors is to be blamed for the low production
Speaking in an interview with the media after marking COCOBOD’s 75th anniversary and launch of 2022 Cocoa Day, it was disclosed that, Galamsey activities are affecting production
“Of course Galamsey activities affects us, also the cutting down of diseased cocoa trees is a contributing factor. We started last year from the Western North, which is, the sefwi area but we’ve now extended it to all the other cocoa growing regions” he said
Meanwhile, the former vice chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ebenezer Owusu delivering a lecture at the event explained the effect of Galamsey in the country is very dire and needs to be checked
He questioned the future we are building for ourselves if we allow the exploitation of gold to take away our natural resources and leave us with a lasting negative impact
“How long will it take us to reclaim the destroyed lands to secure the future of our unborn children and what kind of future are we building for ourselves?”
He urged authorities to do something about the situation
This year’s National Cocoa Day will be held in Suhum on October 1, 2022
Story by Nana Ama Nyamekye/Ahotoronline
