COCOBOD Warns of Cocoa Farm Destruction Crisis


The Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr. Randy Abbey, has raised alarm over the devastating impact of illegal and irresponsible mining on Ghana’s cocoa industry. Speaking at the Parliamentarians’ Conference on Restoring a Culture of Proper Small-Scale Mining, he disclosed that over 30,000 hectares of cocoa farms have already been destroyed, with an additional 50,000 hectares at risk due to mining, timber felling, and sand-winning activities.


Dr. Abbey revealed that illegal miners and some registered mining companies, along with timber and rubber plantation firms, are buying cocoa farms from chiefs and landowners, despite the Economic Protection Act, which prohibits the destruction of cocoa trees. However, weak enforcement and lenient penalties have failed to deter this destruction.


Adding to the urgency of the situation, he announced that from September 2025, the European Union (EU) and Japan will begin testing Ghana’s cocoa for heavy metals like nickel, a move that threatens the country's premium cocoa status and could lead to significant financial losses.


“The illegal mining menace has introduced serious problems such as water pollution, land degradation, high production costs, and insecurity. Last year, cocoa production dropped to almost half of the historic 1 million metric tons, causing a significant economic setback,” he lamented.


To combat this crisis, Dr. Abbey called on Parliament to support amendments to the Economic Protection Act and strengthen enforcement to safeguard cocoa farms. He also revealed that COCOBOD has established a special unit to lead the fight against cocoa farm destruction and has already begun prosecuting offenders.


Dr. Abbey urged Parliament to stand with cocoa farmers and protect the industry, emphasizing its crucial role in Ghana’s economy, which provides jobs for over 2 million people directly and another 5 million indirectly.

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