Ghana Civil- Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP), an independent campaign and advocacy platform in the cocoa sector has called for some immediate interventions in the sector.
They indicate that, the increasing threat posed by illegal mining to the long term survivability of the cocoa industry cannot be overlooked.
According to them, cocoa farmers and land owners are giving away their lands to illegal miners for money, decreasing their cocoa farm size.
Addressing the media, a member of the platform, Leticia Yankey said, “cocoa farmers and land owners are giving away their lands to miners for one reason, money, they do not feel that their efforts and toils are properly and fairly being compensated hence the alternative”.
The 2022/2023 cocoa season was saddled with unprecedented challenges but industry players believe, if cocoa board intensifies interventions, the sector will do better in the next season regardless of the low projection.
“Even if not the best of decision, it’s to cash inn and move out of the cocoa space. The solution is to make the cocoa industry competitive by increasing the farm gates price to levels that are commensurate of the work farmers put into producing cocoa beans” she added.
Story by Nana Ama Nyamekye/Ahotoronline
