Cocoa farmers bemoan destruction of 3,000 acres of cocoa plantation by Ghana Rubber Estate Ltd.

Cocoa is one of the raw materials that give high foreign exchange to the government of Ghana. Ghana’s cocoa is one of the best in the world. Due to the high foreign exchange accrued by the government from Cocoa, government of Ghana normally support the cocoa farmers by providing them with fertilizers, cocoa seedlings and other materials needed to boost cocoa production. The story is however different in Asikesu Odumase, Aburi and Asikesu.

A section of cocoa farm in Asikesu Odumasi being pulled down by an excavator.
In a press conference organized on Thursday, 28th February, 2019 by the Asikesu, Odumase Adwuma-Den co-operative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Society, the farmers lamented the loss of their three thousand acres worth of cocoa farm which was destroyed to plant rubber instead.

Speaking at the press conference, Nana Oboadie Opambour Boateng Bonsu II, president of the Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana (CFAG) disclosed that about five hundred (500) farmers have been affected and they have therefore decided to demonstrate if the government does not intervene to help them reclaim their land.

Mr. Hanson Offei, President of Den Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Society questioned why the government has been quick in arresting cocoa smugglers but turns a blind eye to those who destroy cocoa farms instead. According to him, despite several pleas to government officials to halt the destruction of their cocoa farms, nothing has been done about the issue. The situation has made some of the farmers, especially the old women, lose their livelihoods.

According to some of the farmers, not only do they lose their cocoa farms, but also their wives, children, livestock as all depend on the cocoa farms for survival. They however said that the chief has denied any involvement in this problem and has indicated he would come out to defend his stand when he is called upon.

They are therefore giving the president up to Saturday March 2, 2019 to address their issue and help them reclaim their land or they will go on demonstration to the Jubilee House to make their voices heard.