Ghana may lose 2nd position in cocoa production if ‘galamsey’ persists – Survey

A recent survey suggests Ghana will lose its second position in world cocoa production if illegal mining activities continue.

Ghana is the second-largest producer of cocoa in the world after Côte d’Ivoire, with a market share of about 20 per cent.

Cocoa contributes significantly to the country’s total foreign exchange earnings, second only to mineral exports.

In 2021, cocoa contributed about 2.25 billion Ghana cedis – equivalent to around US$390 million – to the country’s GDP.

While the cocoa sector’s overall contribution to GDP is about 3.5 per cent, it makes up about a quarter of total export receipts while also providing about two-thirds of cocoa farmers’ incomes.

But all these benefits could soon fade away, as predicted in a recent survey by Dr Isaac Nunoo at a press conference organised by Tropenbos Ghana in Accra on Monday.

The survey also revealed that 12,000 hectares of cocoa lands had been lost in Amansie West between 2010 and 2020.

Also, the selling of cocoa farms and agricultural land for mining appears to be on the rise, with food scarcity at its peak.

About 400 cocoa farmers in Amansie West were interviewed.

Asked why the farmers are willing to sell their lands to foreigners, 63% stated that it was due to low cocoa yield, while more than half (81%) said mining pays more than cocoa farming.

Another 86% of the farming population interviewed said it was because they needed urgent money.

Meanwhile, 94% said it was because there was no one to inherit the cocoa farm.

What is the way forward?

Dr Nunoo has therefore urged that cocoa areas be marked as red zones against mining.

“Those areas should be marked as red zones because mining is taking over cocoa lands, and therefore if those areas are marked as red zones, it will save the remaining cocoa landscapes in Ghana. If they are not marked as red zones, mining will continue to be eating into cocoa landscapes, and we might lose our position as a country,” he indicated.

He also called on the government to support cocoa farmers to improve their yield.

Furthermore, he believes a reclamation bond between the miners, MMDAs and traditional authorities will help them monitor and support each other to ensure the cocoa lands are protected.