The President of the Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana (CFA-Ghana), Nana Oboadie Bonsu II, widely known as the Farmer General, has raised concerns over the growing destruction of cocoa farms by illegal mining, warning that Ghana’s heavy focus on gold could undermine the country’s long-term food security and economic stability.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, Nana Bonsu highlighted cocoa’s vital role in sustaining Ghana’s economy and feeding its people.
“In Ghana, we don’t eat gold, but at least we can eat cocoa. Yet today, most attention seems to be on gold, and Cocobod is being overlooked, and that is not good for our farmers or the nation,” he said.
Nana Bonsu explained that CFA-Ghana’s work is often behind the scenes but remains crucial in monitoring cocoa farms, engaging with farmers, and exposing the threats posed by galamsey operations.
“Most of the issues we know, we cannot say in public, because it may bring problems. But we are out there every day. We even sell brooms to buy fuel so we can visit farms and interact with farmers,” he revealed.
He cited worrying examples from the field, including reports of traditional authorities allegedly permitting cocoa lands to be repurposed for other uses.
“In one town in the Ashanti Region, some cocoa farmers told us that the chief said he doesn’t like cocoa farms and wants to convert them into plots. Nothing has been done about it,” he said.
The Farmer General emphasised that galamsey’s impact on cocoa cultivation is both persistent and widespread.
“Galamsey has been destroying cocoa farms for a long time. Anyone who says there is no galamsey is lying. We are on the ground, we see it happening,” he stated.
Nana Bonsu also criticised government and civil society efforts, saying CFA-Ghana’s hands-on experience is often overlooked.
“When President Mahama invited CSOs, there were so many things we wanted to tell him, but we were not invited. Even those who spoke, what did they do? Nothing. We are sitting on a time bomb,” he warned.
He urged policymakers to consider the long-term consequences of prioritising gold over food security.
“Where this world is going now, everyone is protecting their land and the environment. But here we are, thinking about gold instead of cocoa. Our third world war won’t be about gold, we cannot eat gold. How much food storage do we have compared to gold? We must protect what feeds our nation,” Nana Bonsu said.
Recalling a recent visit to Wa, he revealed that over 200 acres of land had reportedly been allocated for galamsey activities despite ongoing efforts to curb the practice.
“If someone says galamsey is not happening, they are lying. Our cocoa farms are being destroyed, and if nothing changes, the consequences will be severe,” he said.
Read Also: Kotoka International Airport to Be Renamed Accra International Airport
