Galamsey: Farmers will not sell their cocoa fields if prices are fair, according to Dumelo

John Dumelo, the deputy minister-designate for food and agriculture, has voiced alarm over the growing number of cocoa farmers selling their land to small-scale illicit miners in return for large profits.

The member from Ayawaso West Wuogon ascribed this change to the nation’s low cocoa prices, which make it difficult for farmers to make a living.

In order to deter farmers from selling their farmlands to illicit miners, Mr. Dumelo advocated for higher cocoa prices during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, February 25.

He emphasised that by providing competitive rates, farmers would be encouraged to protect their fields rather than resort to mining as a means of surviving.

According to Dumelo, “offering cocoa farmers a fair price will discourage them from selling their cocoa farms.”

Additionally, he stressed the necessity of stricter mining restrictions to reduce the negative impacts on agriculture.

Properly structuring the mining sector to ensure that its operations do not negatively impact cocoa fields is another essential step. But cost is still the biggest problem,” he continued.