COCOBOD Warns of Cocoa Industry Collapse Amidst Galamsey Crisis as MoFA Secures GH¢1.06m Private Sector Support

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has issued a dire warning regarding the potential collapse of the nation's cocoa industry, citing the devastating impact of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Samuel Asuman, the Regional Manager of COCOBOD’s Cocoa Health and Extension Division in the Western South, revealed that over 100,000 acres of high-yield cocoa plantations have already been destroyed by mining activities. This systemic destruction is not only shrinking the available land for agriculture but is also leading to significant production deficits that threaten Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings and the overall financial stability of COCOBOD. Officials emphasized that despite heavy investments in rehabilitating diseased and aged farms, the unchecked expansion of illegal mining remains the single largest threat to the sector’s survival.

The economic implications of this crisis are far-reaching, as declining export volumes directly affect the country’s ability to generate revenue and maintain its position in the global cocoa market. Mr. Asuman, supported by local leaders and Member of Parliament Robert Wisdom Cudjoe, urged farmers to resist the immediate financial lure of selling their land to illegal miners. They stressed that cocoa represents a sustainable, long-term investment that provides multi-generational security, whereas the proceeds from mining are often fleeting and leave the land permanently scarred and unproductive. The government is currently exploring more stringent sanctions and enhanced protection measures for cocoa-growing areas to safeguard the livelihoods of millions who depend on the crop.

While the cocoa sector faces existential threats, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is working to strengthen its institutional capacity through new private-sector partnerships. The Ministry recently secured a corporate sponsorship worth GH¢1,068,455 from 3TREES Ghana Painting Ltd for the complete renovation and repainting of its national headquarters. Funded entirely under 3TREES's 'Brighten Ghana Initiative,' the project covers all materials and labor at no cost to the state. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort is designed to modernize public infrastructure and improve service delivery within the agricultural sector, reflecting a growing trend of private-sector involvement in national development projects.

During the sponsorship ceremony, the Minister for Food and Agriculture highlighted the indispensable role of the agricultural sector as the backbone of the Ghanaian economy. He expressed gratitude to 3TREES Ghana and UMB Bank for their contributions and called on other corporate entities to support public initiatives, particularly the upcoming 42nd National Farmers’ Day scheduled for December 4. By fostering these public-private partnerships, the Ministry aims to advance agricultural transformation and ensure food security. However, the success of such modernization efforts remains inextricably linked to the government's ability to resolve the galamsey crisis and protect the fertile lands that form the foundation of Ghana's agricultural prosperity.