Ghana and Ivory Coast Agricultural Leaders Call for Stronger Protections Against Mining, Disease, and Policy Inconsistency

Agricultural stakeholders across West Africa are intensifying calls for structural reforms and environmental protections to safeguard the region’s vital cocoa and livestock industries. In Ghana, the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has taken a significant step toward stabilizing the sector by releasing substantial funds to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to settle outstanding debts owed to farmers. This financial injection coincided with a nationwide sensitization campaign aimed at revitalizing the industry through the Free Fertiliser and Agro-Inputs Distribution Programme. Meanwhile, across the border in Ivory Coast, farmers are navigating unpredictable weather patterns; while recent below-average rainfall has helped dry damp soil, producers emphasize that additional sunny spells are necessary to ensure the health of the upcoming main cocoa crop running through February.

Beyond financial and climatic concerns, the threat of illegal mining, locally known as "galamsey," has sparked a demand for radical land-use policies in Ghana. During a recent forum organized by the Fairtrade Ghana Network and Fairtrade Africa, stakeholders urged the government and COCOBOD to officially designate key cocoa-growing areas as "no-go zones" for mining. Fairtrade Africa’s Policy and Advocacy Manager, Elvis Core, emphasized that cocoa farmers must have a central voice in shaping these protective measures. The coalition called for stricter law enforcement and closer collaboration with traditional authorities to prevent the encroachment of mining activities, which continue to degrade fertile land and threaten the long-term viability of the cocoa industry.

The focus on agricultural resilience extends into the livestock sector, where experts are advocating for a more robust national strategy to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a devastating transboundary disease affecting sheep and goats. At a National Review Workshop in Accra, Ghana's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe, highlighted the need for enhanced disease surveillance, better diagnostic capabilities, and intensified vaccination efforts. Supported by the AU-IBAR and the FAO, stakeholders such as Dr. Huyam Salih argue that eradicating PPR is not merely a veterinary concern but a cornerstone of national food security and economic stability, especially for rural communities reliant on small ruminants.

To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, a recent study presented in Tamale by Urbanet and the INCLUDE Knowledge Platform has called for a shift toward long-term, bipartisan food systems policies. The research highlights that approximately 40% of Ghana’s youth are already engaged in the food value chain, yet they face significant obstacles, including wage disparities and political hurdles that hinder consistent growth. The study recommends promoting agroecological practices and strengthening youth entrepreneurship to create a more equitable system. By moving away from short-term political initiatives toward a unified national framework, experts believe Ghana can better support its farmers and improve overall productivity amid ongoing climate challenges.