Asantehene demands action to protect cocoa farms from galamsey activities

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has called for concerted efforts to check the destruction of cocoa farms through illegal mining (galamsey) activities.

He said galamsey has been identified as one of the major threats to the survival of the country’s cocoa industry, and must therefore be checked.

Otumfuo said this when the managements of Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Limited and Barry Callebaut, Tema, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The two companies were at the palace to donate a cheque for GHc100,000 towards the Heal Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) project.

“Galamsey is seriously affecting most of the cocoa trees. It’s a serious issue we have to look at, “the Asantehene stated.

Dwindling interest
His Majesty also mentioned the dwindling interest of the youth in farming as a cause of decreasing number of cocoa farmers in the country. Many of the youth, he observed, are preoccupied with searching for white-collar jobs rather than venturing into farming. “These are all areas we have to take serious note of and I believe strongly that we can plan in that area,” he said.

Appreciation
Otumfuo thanked the donors for supporting the Heal KATH initiative, which seeks to mobilize funds to renovate the hospital’s infrastructure. “I am very appreciative of the support to Komfo Anokye. It’s all about healthcare delivery.”

Giving back to society
In an address, the Managing Director of Barry Callebaut, Tema, Krishnarkumar R. Pillai said the company was committed to giving back to the society through its foundation. “We really contribute to the education sector. We support activities like water, health and sanitation in the communities where cocoa is grown,” he said.

In attendance was the Managing Director of Nyonkopa Cocoa, Charity Sackitey.