Ghana, once the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, is now facing a troubling shift. The short-term profits of “galamsey,” or illicit artisanal mining, are gradually replacing the nation’s longstanding cocoa crop, which has been a cornerstone of its economy for decades. Farmers are abandoning their cocoa fields, enticed by the lure of gold and quick money, leaving behind a legacy of environmental destruction and economic instability.
This issue gain prominence over the weekend when two prominent academics took to social media to vent their anger. Director of the Centre for Asian Studies, Dr. Lloyd Amoah complained bitterly about the problem, saying Ghana could have made a lot of gains from cocoa considering the impact Ghana has had on cocoa globally. Another academic, Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD), described the galamsey menace as “unmitigated disaster” adding that the short-term gains are entirely to “the pillagers and their principals”.
There is growing concern that Ghana might forsake its essential cocoa crop in favor of the toxic short-term gains from “galamsey.” This shift poses significant threats to the country’s long-term economic stability, environmental health, and public welfare.
Several factors contribute to this troubling trend. Firstly, illicit small-scale gold mining offers immediate cash returns that seem more lucrative than the longer-term investments required for cocoa farming. The high price and global demand for gold make it an attractive option for quick profits. Additionally, economic pressures and a lack of adequate financial support drive cocoa farmers towards riskier but more profitable ventures.
At the recent International Cocoa Conference in Accra, experts and policymakers expressed serious concerns about Ghana’s growing inclination towards “galamsey” and its adverse effects on the cocoa industry. The conference highlighted how economic pressures, the allure of rapid gains from illicit mining, and inadequate enforcement of environmental regulations are fueling this trend.
