In a bold move to protect their livelihoods, cocoa farmers operating under the Asunafo Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Union have begun mobilising in groups to actively drive away illegal miners, commonly known as 'galamseyers', who are devastating farmlands in the area.

Emmanuel Sarpong, the President of the Union, stated that the escalating threat of illegal mining and lumbering is not only degrading fertile lands but also severely jeopardising the future of cocoa production and the economic well-being of thousands of farmers.

He indicated that they can no longer sit idly by while their farms are destroyed, adding that their members have started forming community action groups to peacefully resist and push out illegal miners from their lands.

Mr. Sarpong made these remarks on Thursday at Goase in the Ahafo Region, during the Union's 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting served as a platform to review past performance, present the previous year's financial statement, and make strategic decisions for the upcoming year.

The Union President cited a recent success, noting that "illegal miners brought their equipment to cocoa farmlands at Tweapease. Our farmers there mobilised themselves, and with the backing of the Union, drove them away."

Mr. Sarpong also appealed to government agencies, security services, and environmental groups to intensify efforts in clamping down on illegal logging activities that are rapidly eroding forest reserves and farmlands across the country.

According to him, these destructive practices not only degrade the land but also endanger the livelihoods of thousands of farmers who depend on cocoa farming for survival.

He stressed the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the environment and ensure the sustainability of cocoa production, a vital component of Ghana's economy.

Mr. Sarpong highlighted that the Union has been at the forefront of empowering its members to resist illegal mining activities within the Asunafo South Municipality.

The Union is not only leading this grassroots defence but also offering critical support to its members. He detailed various initiatives, including educational support, economic empowerment programmes, access to soft loans, and a welfare scheme, all aimed at strengthening the resilience of cocoa farmers.

The union president emphasised that by empowering farmers economically and socially, they are better positioned to reject the temporary allure of quick money offered by illegal mining operators and instead focus on sustaining their cocoa farms for long-term benefit.

The cocoa farmers of Asunafo have sent a clear and strong message: they are prepared to defend their lands, their livelihoods, and the future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.

The Union continues to call on government authorities, environmental agencies, and community leaders to join forces in preserving farmlands and protecting the cocoa industry, an essential pillar of Ghana's economy.