The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has warned that the reduction of the cocoa producer price to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag could undermine national efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The group argued that making cocoa farming less profitable may push farmers into environmentally destructive activities.

In a statement dated February 12, 2026, the CDM described the policy as “a direct threat to the fight against galamsey,” stressing that economic desperation often drives farmers to abandon cocoa cultivation for illegal mining.

“When cocoa farming becomes unprofitable, farmers abandon farms and use their farmlands for galamsey,” the group stated.

The CDM cautioned that the price reduction could accelerate the destruction of cocoa farmlands, intensify water pollution, and worsen land degradation.

It further warned that such a development would undermine national anti-galamsey efforts and deepen environmental insecurity.

“The government cannot claim to be fighting galamsey while simultaneously creating the economic desperation that fuels it,” the statement said.

The group argued that policy coherence is essential in addressing both economic and environmental challenges.

Calling for urgent reconsideration of the new price, the CDM maintained that safeguarding cocoa farmer incomes is not only an economic imperative but also a critical component of Ghana’s environmental protection strategy.