President John Mahama has proposed new legislation to criminalize the destruction of cocoa farms for mining purposes, emphasizing the economic sustainability of cocoa over short-term mining gains.
Speaking after a meeting with the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee, and Sheanut Farmers Association, President Mahama highlighted the long-term profitability of cocoa farming, which can generate revenue for over 30 years, compared to mining, which leaves the land barren after extraction.
“We must stop the destruction of cocoa trees for gold mining. Once the land is mined out, it becomes useless, but cocoa farming ensures continuous income and sustains livelihoods for decades,” he stressed.
A “Year of Correction” for the Cocoa Sector
The President also declared 2025 as the “Year of Correction”, aiming to revitalize Ghana’s cocoa industry following what he described as poor management by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). He accused the board of reckless spending, citing a GH₵3.4 billion expenditure last year, which he claims prioritized administrative costs over farmer support.
With COCOBOD’s debt at GH₵3.2 billion and an impending GH₵9 million payment due by September, Mahama warned that failing to address inefficiencies could further cripple the cocoa industry.
A major focus of his proposal is securing fair prices for cocoa farmers, advocating for a minimum 70% share of producer prices.
“Farmers must be fairly compensated. The previous administration allowed prices to stagnate despite currency depreciation. If we don’t fix these issues, we risk further declines in production,” he asserted.
Mahama’s legislative push and sector reforms could reshape Ghana’s cocoa industry, ensuring long-term sustainability and protecting agricultural investments. If implemented, this policy may force mining companies to rethink land acquisition strategies while boosting cocoa output and export earnings.
