The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana has announced its intention to take to the streets in protest over the widespread destruction of farmlands caused by illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
Speaking on the issue, Anthony Morrison, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Agribusiness, expressed frustration and dismay at the government’s lack of action despite repeated complaints.
Mr. Morrison further revealed that the Chamber of Agribusiness is planning a demonstration to raise awareness and call for immediate government intervention.
“We intend to release a press statement and, after that, follow it up with a demonstration among the farmer front and agribusiness front. We are losing quite a lot,” Mr. Morrison said.
This alarming situation, which has seen over 1.2 million hectares of farmland ravaged, has deeply affected the agricultural sector, and investors are increasingly worried about the future of their agribusiness initiatives in the country.
“People’s investments have gone down the drain as a result of the activities of illegal mining and galamsey actors,” Mr. Morrison said in a recent interview.
Illegal miners, driven by the pursuit of gold and other resources, continue to ravage lands critical to the country’s agricultural productivity.
According to the Chamber, the destruction of farmlands by illegal mining has become a growing concern among agribusiness stakeholders, including both local farmers and international investors.
As the agricultural sector accounts for a significant portion of Ghana’s economy—employing more than half of the rural population—this threat has far-reaching consequences for the nation’s food security, export potential, and overall economic health.
The CEO went on to criticize the government, particularly President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for not protecting the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians whose futures are tied to agriculture.
In addition to the protest, the Chamber plans to initiate several efforts to pressure the government to take more decisive action. These include working with international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to exert diplomatic pressure on Ghana’s leadership.
Risks to Agricultural Exports
One of the potential outcomes of the illegal mining crisis is a possible ban on agricultural exports from Ghana, particularly to European markets.
Mr. Morrison raised concerns that if the environmental destruction caused by galamsey is not curbed, countries that import Ghanaian agricultural products may implement protective measures or restrictions. The impact could be devastating for Ghana’s agricultural sector, which heavily relies on exports.
“If there can be an immediate stop to the issues of galamsey, because there are a lot of people whose prospective investors are on the ice as a result of galamsey going on in identified zones where they ought to be doing their investment,” Mr. Morrison stressed.
The continued devastation of farmlands jeopardizes not only the future of food production but also Ghana’s reputation as a reliable source of agricultural products in the global market.
Illegal mining has taken a particularly heavy toll on Ghana’s cocoa industry, a major contributor to the country’s economy and a key export commodity.
Recently, the Mankrom Cocoa Cooperative Farmers Association revealed that over 100,000 acres of cocoa farms have been destroyed by miners. This destruction has led to a significant decline in cocoa production, putting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers at risk.
The association emphasized the need for urgent government intervention to protect cocoa farmers, who are facing the brunt of the illegal mining activities.
Farmers and agribusiness stakeholders have called for stricter measures, with some urging the government to declare a state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey.
They believe this would be a crucial first step in curbing the destruction and ensuring that the illegal miners are held accountable for the environmental damage they have caused. There is also growing support for the formation of a commission to investigate the illegal mining issue and create a framework for responsible mining practices in the future.
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