The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has issued a strong warning against the destruction of cocoa farms in the name of illegal mining and industrial development.
He emphasized that Ghana’s treasured cocoa sector must not be sacrificed for short-term financial gains from gold or bauxite extraction.
Touching on the ongoing national campaign against illegal mining (galamsey), Dr. Abbey commended the efforts of the military and police, describing the operation as a vital intervention that had not been undertaken in over a decade.
However, he lamented how galamsey operators continue to entice landowners with money to destroy cocoa farms, further endangering the sustainability of cocoa production in Ghana.
“The existing penalties are too soft and easily paid off,” he stated, as he called for urgent legislative reforms to protect cocoa farms.
He revealed that COCOBOD has appealed to Parliament and secured the backing of the President to amend current laws and impose tougher penalties to make the destruction of cocoa trees significantly harder.
Dr. Abbey passionately urged Ghanaians to consider long-term sustainability over temporary wealth.
“Cocoa can feed us for thirty years. Galamsey money is temporary and leaves the land barren. Let us think about our grandchildren and their future. Wherever cocoa is grown, gold can be found—but cocoa must not suffer for gold,” he warned.
The CEO reaffirmed COCOBOD’s commitment to resolving issues within cocoa-producing communities and called for greater collaboration between farmers and the board to strengthen the industry.
Farmers Appeal Over Bauxite Threat in Sefwi Atronsu
During Dr. Abbey’s maiden visit to the Western North Region, cocoa farmers in about ten communities in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality made a desperate appeal to COCOBOD to intervene in what they described as a forceful takeover of their cocoa farms by the Ghana Bauxite Company.
The company has earmarked portions of land in Sefwi Atronsu for the construction of a bauxite refinery, which would lead to the destruction of cocoa plantations that have sustained generations of farmers.
Andrew Asare, a farmer from Atronsu, voiced the concerns of his community during an interaction with the COCOBOD CEO.
“The Ghana Bauxite Company wants to take over our farms for their refinery. If this goes ahead, we will lose everything. This is our only source of livelihood,” he lamented, pleading with Dr. Abbey to act swiftly to protect their farms.
In response, Dr. Randdy Abbey assured the affected farmers that COCOBOD would thoroughly investigate the situation and engage all relevant authorities, including the Ghana Bauxite Company, to ensure that the interests of cocoa farmers are safeguarded.
He stressed that while development and industrialization are crucial, they must not come at the cost of Ghana’s cocoa heritage.
COCOBOD, he said, remains firm in its mission to promote, protect, and preserve cocoa production across the country.
