The Amansie West Cocoa Farmers President, Rev. Thomas Oppong has uttered that political threats are one key reason why the majority of farmers have abandoned their cocoa farms as a concession to be used for galamsey in the District.

He explained that, illegal miners intimidate cocoa farmers, which leaves them nothing than to accept petty monies that persuade them to give out their cocoa lands asserting that the monies given are not even able to sustain the agriculturalists for three months leaving them deprived for the rest of their years.

 

 

Rev. Thomas encouraged that the Amansie West Cocoa Farmers are advocating against the sale of cocoa farms for the galamsey business but the political intimidation of the Member of Parliament of Manso Nkwanta constituency, Hon Joseph Albert Quarm leaves farmers no choice.

The Amansie West Cocoa Farmers Association at Manso Nsiana released a press statement bashing out the Member of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Albert Quarm for turning their farmlands into galamsey sites a few weeks ago.

According to the release, Mr. Quarm of Prof. Quarm publication claimed that he has personally funded the fight against illegal mining in the community from his own resource yet the mining site exposed by the Cocoa farmers at Manso Nsiana shows how close and effective the galamsey trade is closer to the town which is less than hundred meters (100m) from the community, indicating that the words of the MP are false and null.

 

 

“These activities, if not addressed could endanger the lives of the people especially the children who live very close to the sites.

“The farmers allegedly accused the MP of collecting Gh¢200,000 plus a 25% commission on  Gold production every week from the miners  but the farmer who has spent several years on his/her Cocoa farm is paid the maximum of Gh¢20,000 and called for immediate intervention by the government to save the Cocoa industry,” the release stated.

Speaking to SoireeNews, the Amansie West Cocoa Farmers President informed that he has not been advocating against the forsaking of cocoa farms for galamsey in every town within the Amansie West District and the need for farmers to hold on to their prized cocoa asset, which is a definition of their future.

 

 

Rev. Oppong called on the government and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to help cease the activities of galamsey at places where illegal mining puts cocoa farming in danger, entreating that failure for government to put in measures to halt such will render Ghana bankrupt in cocoa production.

“The government and the COCOCBOD should relay measures to put an end to cocoa in these areas. The activities of galamsey should not overshadow that of cocoa else we’ll be deprived in the near future,” he said.

"Although the government supports us through the COCOCBOD with fertilizers, yet he should be firm in putting an end to galamsey issues at places where cocoa farming is immense in order to make higher productions.

 

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"I have empowered many youths in this community when the government introduced the planting for food and jobs. Some planted rice and other foodstuffs, so imagine if these produce are destroyed in the name of galamsey, we will be at risk, ‘he added.

He made known that the Member of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Albert Quarm initially was sponsoring to fight illegal mining in the vicinity but has suddenly turned on a new leaf in favor of the concession.

“He was the one pushing for the activities of illegal mining to be halted. No one knows why he is supporting galamsey today. They have introduced community mining and I don’t know if that is what they are embarking on. The government must come to our aid if he wants to benefit from cocoa production in the country,” he ended.

On the issue of community mining, the Nsiani Farmers’ cooperative president, Mr. Peter Mensah explained that it was the decision of the community to address the government on their desire. He revealed that the government granted their wish and a concession owner was sent to meet the leaders of the community.

 

 

“The concession owner told us that if the cocoa distracts the mining, the government would have to destroy the farms. The people did not accept the decision so he assured that the galamsey would be done on the free land in due of that landowners can choose to sell their properties if they wish to.

"Majority of the lands were sold on our terms yet the cooperative members were warned by the association not to sell their lands or face of exit. They heeded our words and refused to apart from the people in the community.

"On the benefit of the community, an entrance fee of 10,000 cedis was taken from them. The DS had to meet the residents of the community before any developmental projects could be discussed and commence in the village.," he uttered.

 

 

He rebuffed that the mining work is ongoing yet no one is compelling cocoa farmers to give out their farms for illegal mining.