Cocoa Farmers in Crisis: Galamsey Beckons as Prices Plummet and Debts Mount

Cocoa farmers at Adiembra of the Atwima Mponua District have expressed frustration over developments in the cocoa sector, with many considering converting their cocoa farms into illegal mining operations, popularly known as galamsey.

The farmers say declining producer prices, financial difficulties within the cocoa industry, and unpaid debts owed to licensed cocoa buyers have significantly reduced their interest in cocoa farming.

During an engagement with the Minority Caucus of Parliament on Tuesday, more than 150 farmers voiced their concerns about the current state of the sector.

According to them, the reduction of the cocoa producer price from GH₵3,625 to GH₵2,587 per bag, coupled with debts owed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to licensed cocoa buying companies and farmers, has made cocoa farming increasingly unattractive.

The farmers argued that illegal mining could offer them higher and quicker financial returns compared to cocoa farming under current conditions.

Licensed Buyer Laments Unpaid Arrears

A 68-year-old licensed cocoa buyer, James Boakye Yiadom, who has worked in the cocoa trade for 33 years, said he has stopped purchasing cocoa beans from farmers due to outstanding payments owed to him.

Mr. Yiadom revealed that COCOBOD owes him payment for 17 bags of cocoa beans, making it difficult for him to continue operating.

He explained that the situation has made it risky for licensed buyers to continue purchasing cocoa.

According to him, his company, Yonkopa Buying Agency, has warned him that any cocoa purchases he makes now would be at his own personal risk.

“I have totally lost interest because I am not making any profit,” Mr. Yiadom who is also a cocoa farmer stated.

He added that he is considering cutting down his cocoa trees to venture into illegal mining if tests confirm the presence of gold on his land.

“If a test is run on my land and they discover that there is much gold in the land, I will cut down the cocos trees and enter into galamsey because we have now realized that cocoa cannot help us,” he said.

Mr. Yiadom also lamented that cocoa farming has become so unprofitable that farmers are unable to hire labourers to maintain their farms.

“I have children and I take care of their school and hospital bills. All these require money,” he added.

Young Farmers Also Losing Hope

Another farmer, Bright Fordjour, said he abandoned his driving profession to venture into cocoa farming but now regrets the decision.

According to him, current developments in the cocoa sector have left him discouraged and uncertain about the future of the profession.

Minority Caucus’ Tour

The engagement formed part of the Minority Caucus’ ongoing tour of cocoa-growing communities in the Ashanti Region to interact with farmers and assess the challenges facing the cocoa industry.

The farmers are calling for urgent intervention from authorities to address the challenges in the sector and restore confidence among cocoa producers.