Cocoa farmers at Sefwi Asempaneye, in the Sefwi Juaboso District of the Western North Region, say low cocoa prices are compelling them to lease their farmlands to illegal miners (galamseyers).
In an interview with Oyerepa TV News, some farmers revealed that they are even considering selling their lands outright to the miners.
They explained that years of galamsey activities have already degraded their farmlands, while the low profitability of cocoa farming leaves them with little to survive on.
The farmers further stressed the need for the government to take stronger action against illegal mining, citing the devastating environmental and economic consequences.
According to them, with their lands already destroyed and returns from cocoa farming dwindling, they feel they have no choice but to hand over their farms to galamsey operators.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com /Berima Kantinka
