Dr. Apaak questions gov’t’s silence over miners taking over huge cocoa farmlands

The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak has questioned the government’s silence on how mining companies are taking over cocoa farms.

This comes on the back of a mining firm taking over 100 hectares of cocoa farmlands in the Ashanti region.

Many farmlands across the country have been destroyed through illegal mining in mining areas.

More than 4,300 hectares of cocoa farms in the Nkawie Cocoa District of the Ashanti Region are at risk of destruction through illegal gold mining activities.

Ebenezer Agyen, the Ashanti Regional Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board’s extension division, has identified the farms under threat to consist of productive and newly rehabilitated cocoa plantations across five communities namely, Apuoyem, Ouagadougou, Kontomire, Brosanko, and Brahabebome.

The area currently produces an average of 9,500 metric tonnes of cocoa beans annually, valued at over GHS316 million at the prevailing farmgate price.

Commenting on the development, the Builsa South lawmaker stated that no sensitive government would allow such a situation to happen under its watch.

“What kind of government allows a foreign-owned mining firm to hijack over 100ha of rehabilitated cocoa farms? The government has been mute since this came to light.

“Doesn’t this suggest gov’t complicity? A sensible and sensitive government should be protecting our farmers and our environment, not the opposite,” Dr. Apaak stated in a tweet.

Source: Today.com.gh