Strengthen laws that protect cocoa trees – Cocoa farmers

Cocoa farmers in the Central Region have called for greater commitment to strengthening laws that protect cocoa trees and farms.

The cocoa farmers from the Central Region indicated an urgent need to create awareness of laws that protect cocoa farms and trees, especially in the community, to prevent the destruction of farms by illegal miners.

They indicated that, although there were laws protecting the cocoa trees, these laws must be reviewed and strengthened to protect cocoa as an economic crop.

Currently, the country has the Economic Plants Protection Act of 1979, which protects the destruction of economically valuable trees, such as cocoa trees.

Current law

However, the cocoa farmers indicated that many did not know much about the current law, and landowners in cocoa-growing communities continue to use traditional arrangements, which intimidate cocoa farmers and destroy cocoa farms due to illegal mining.

One of the farmers, George Amoako Arthur, said farmers must understand the current law, while efforts were made to strengthen it.

He pledged to work with agencies and departments to enhance cocoa productivity.

Another farmer, Stephen Baidoo, said land owners and communities in general must understand the relevance of cocoa to national development and be encouraged to protect cocoa trees.

The farmers made the call at a day’s workshop for about 20 selected cocoa farmers in the Central Region at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) last Thursday.

The engagement, organised by SEND Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, also sought to find lasting solutions to issues confronting cocoa farmers in the region for improved productivity.

It was also to connect farmers with journalists, help them advocate the right support for their activities and seek solutions from policymakers to the challenges confronting them.

The farmers also called for decentralised cocoa input shops to help manage their farms efficiently.

SEND Ghana

The Country Director of SEND GHANA, Harriet Nuamah Agyemang, urged the farmers to use the media to amplify their voices, raise awareness of issues affecting their livelihoods and push for policy changes and support.

Mrs Nuamah Agyemang also advised the cocoa farmers to learn to communicate their needs effectively and work towards sustained and enhanced productivity, considering the enormous contribution of cocoa to the country’s socio-economic growth, and to farmers in particular.

She also stressed the need to tackle the galamsey menace to reduce its impact on cocoa production.

An officer from COCOBOD, Nii Djanie Antonio, said COCOBOD would continue to support farmers to derive maximum benefits from their produce.

He advised the farmers not to be deceived into selling their lands to illegal miners, saying the benefits of the cocoa tree were long-term and enormous for the environment.

Report

He also urged them to report illegal miners destroying cocoa farms to the nearest COCOBOD officer for redress.

He also urged them to initiate the right documented land-use arrangements with landowners to prevent surprises and farm captures.

Mr Antonio also educated them on effective farming methods to achieve optimal output.

A programme officer at SEND Ghana, Nana Kwasi Ackah, urged farmers to unite and be advocates for their well-being.

An agricultural journalist, Nana Yaw Reuben, urged the farmers to unite and form a cooperative to drum home their demands for support toward efficiency and improved productivity.