Huni Valley Cocoa Officer Calls for End to Cocoa Smuggling and Galamsey

The District Cocoa Officer for Huni Valley, Mr. Clement Sarpong, has issued a stern warning to cocoa farmers against smuggling their produce to neighboring countries.

He emphasized the significant investments made by the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in improving cocoa yields, including providing pesticides, fertilizers, and supporting pollination efforts.

Mr. Sarpong highlighted that smuggling cocoa deprives the country of valuable revenue, which is used to fund critical projects such as cocoa road infrastructure and scholarships for students.

He urged farmers to resist the temptation to sell their cocoa farms to illegal miners, known as galamseyers, as this practice destroys fertile land and undermines the long-term sustainability of the cocoa industry.

Instead, Mr. Sarpong encouraged farmers to focus on adopting improved farming practices, particularly pollination techniques, which can significantly boost cocoa yields.

He noted that the government has provided extensive support to farmers to help them implement these practices.

During a recent meeting with cocoa farmers in Huni Valley, Mr. Sarpong shared his concerns about the negative impact of smuggling and galamsey on the local economy and the environment. He urged farmers to work together with the government to protect the cocoa industry and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come.

One farmer, Egya Aboagye, who has benefited from the cocoa pollination program, shared his experience.

He explained that his farm’s productivity has increased significantly since he started pollinating his trees, but he faces challenges in finding enough labor to harvest the larger crop. “It’s difficult to get workers to help when the farm starts producing more fruits,” he said.