The President of the Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana, Nana Boateng Bonsu, expressed deep concern over the marginalization of Ghanaian cocoa farmers, particularly regarding the pricing of cocoa beans at the farm gate in comparison to the world market price. Speaking on the Ahotor FM 92.3 morning show “Adekyee Mu Nsem” with Nana Alex Dogbe in Accra, Nana Bonsu emphasized the challenging circumstances faced by cocoa farmers, attributing these difficulties to the escalating costs of farming inputs such as chemicals and implements.
He urged farmers not to align themselves with politicians for personal gain but to unite with their fellow farmers to advocate for fair cocoa bean pricing, especially in light of the global increase in cocoa prices. Nana Bonsu highlighted the plight of farmers facing destruction of their farms due to illegal mining activities, with 65 farms already destroyed and 53 more at risk.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, is grappling with the menace of illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey,” which poses a significant threat to cocoa cultivation and the national economy. Nana Bonsu stressed the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of agricultural land and revenue.
The impact of illicit activities on cocoa production is evident, with projections showing a decline in harvest from 1 million tonnes to 750,000 tonnes for the 2022-2023 period, and a forecast of 650,000 to 700,000 tonnes for 2023-2024. Moreover, mining activities contribute to environmental degradation, including pollution of rivers and water tables.
Nana Bonsu underscored the importance of government intervention to improve cocoa prices and living standards for farmers, warning of dire consequences if the issue remains unaddressed. He cited significant losses due to smuggling of cocoa beans to neighboring countries, amounting to approximately 150,000 metric tonnes and $600 million in revenue in 2022.
In addition to the challenges posed by illegal mining, the cocoa industry faces the impacts of climate change, including fluctuating rainfall and declining soil fertility, which have necessitated a shift in production westwards to regions like the Western Region, now accounting for 43% of total cocoa production.
In conclusion, Nana Bonsu emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address the plight of cocoa farmers and safeguard the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry. For further inquiries, AYM Kukah can be contacted via email at kukahalexander7@gmail.com.
