“COCOBOD and Mining Firm Clash Over Destruction of Cocoa Farms”

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is in conflict with MIGOP, a private mining company, for allegedly destroying hundreds of hectares of rehabilitated cocoa farms in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality under the guise of gold prospecting.

Contrary to Section 18 of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703 of 2006, which requires mining companies to inform environmental regulatory bodies before undertaking any activities on the concession, MIGOP failed to notify COCOBOD before commencing prospecting.

MIGOP, a foreign-owned mining firm, reportedly proceeded with operations on the concession without COCOBOD’s knowledge and destroyed large areas of cocoa farms recently rehabilitated by COCOBOD. The company is accused of using intimidation tactics to coerce farmers into releasing their lands, including cordoning off farms with tape and deploying armed security personnel.

COCOBOD stated that MIGOP’s actions violated the law, as neither MIGOP nor the Minerals Commission notified COCOBOD about the lease in a cocoa-growing area. The affected farmers claimed intimidation by the mining company, prompting COCOBOD to investigate the matter.

The Head of COCOBOD’s Anti-Illegal Mining Unit, Prof. Michael Kwarteng, emphasized the illegality of MIGOP’s activities and their detrimental impact on cocoa production. The affected farms were reportedly rehabilitated with a loan from the African Development Bank.

MIGOP denied engaging in mining activities in the affected communities, asserting that it was only conducting exploration. However, COCOBOD is concerned about the significant impact of MIGOP’s actions on cocoa production, which has been declining in recent years due to various factors, including illegal mining activities.