Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III (right) with other dignitaries launching the programme
Cocoa farmers in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region have been called upon not to sell or release their cocoa farms for illegal mining activities, also called ‘galamsey’.
Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III, Apinto Gyaasehene, who made the call, said the alleged benefits to be derived from selling cocoa lands to illegal miners were not sustainable when compared to cocoa farming in the long run.
He, however, stressed the need for the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to give farmers the requisite support, in order to resist the urge to sell their farms to illegal miners.
Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III was speaking at the launch of this year’s Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation at Tarkwa.
He said, “The Tarkwa area used to have lots of cocoa farms, but now most of them have turned into illegal mining sites.”
“So I am appealing to all stakeholders to help reclaim those degraded lands to help increase cocoa yield in the area,” the chief indicated.
In all, about 100 cocoa farmers from the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality were given free COCOBOD-approved fertilisers, fungicides and pesticides among other inputs.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD in charge of Finance and Administration, Ato Boateng, said the board is putting in place measures to make selling of cocoa farms to galamsey operators illegal.
He said the move will help protect cocoa farms and safeguard the industry.
He mentioned that cocoa farmers in the Western South Region of Ghana are expected to benefit from increased access to agricultural inputs as part of efforts to boost cocoa production.
Mine Manager of Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Madam Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, said one of the key investment areas of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation is agriculture.
She noted that over the years, the Foundation has invested over US$6.9 million to support the development of the agricultural sector.
She said having successfully implemented the support programme in the Damang Mine host communities, the initiative is being extended to the Tarkwa Mine host communities.
Regional Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations of Gold Fields, Robert Siaw, said cocoa farming has been a source of sustainable livelihoods to many people due to the extensive nature of its value chain, hence, the need to support the farmers.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa