President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged farmers to help fight the menace of illegal mining in the country.

According to him, both farmers and citizens have a role to play if the country intends to curb the galamsey menace.

The President made the statement during the 38th National Farmers’ Day Celebration at the Jubilee Park, Koforidua, in the Eastern Region.

The celebration was under the theme “Accelerating Agriculture through Value Addition”.

This year’s National Farmers’ Day celebration was an opportunity to address concerns of hikes in food prices and also reward farmers for their collective effort in the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo noted that without farmers and the general citizenry collaborating with government to put a stop to the galamsey menace, the illegal activity will destroy the natural environment.

“All of us, farmers and citizens have a collective responsibility to bring this environmental canker to a halt if we do not want to ruin the inheritance our forefathers bequeath us,” he said.

He added that the cocoa sector will thrive if “we are able to completely curb the menace of illegal mining”.

“Sustainability of the cocoa sector is consented on how effectively we are able to fight the devastating effect of illegal mining”, he said.