Ghana may lose its position as one of the best exporters of cocoa to neigbouring countries if swift measures are not taken to address the issues of encroachment by some real estate developers.
This is according to the Fair Trade Ghana Network’s recent report.
According to the President of the network, Florence Blankson, deforestation and illegal mining activities are already posing a threat to cocoa farmers, hence the government should intensify its efforts in addressing issues affecting the cocoa sector.
Speaking to Joy Business at the 6th Annual General Meeting of Fair Trade Ghana Network, she argues that the government has not been proactive enough to tackle issues affecting the sector.
She bemoaned the ineffectiveness of government’s agencies in engaging these players within the sector for sustainability.
“The “galamsey” is an issue, felling down of trees are also issues and some real estate developers are taking over cocoa farmlands and if we don’t take care, very soon we may lose our position as one of the exporters of cocoa globally”.
“When we went around the water bodies they were all like tea and I wonder where we are going with this”, She said
According to Statista, in 2022, the export value of cocoa beans and cocoa products from Ghana amounted to about $2.3 billion, which was a decrease of 19.0% from the preceding year.
Within the observed period, the highest value of the exports was achieved in 2021, with approximately $2.84 billion U.S. Cocoa beans and cocoa products are a very important commodity in Ghana, as it represents a large percentage of Ghana's exports.
The Fair Trade Ghana Network is a membership-based organisation championing sustainable agriculture and handicraft production in the fair trade environment in Ghana.
It is a national network of fair trade certified farmers, handicraft producers, and hired labour organisations.
The network focuses on programmes in the following areas for the benefit of its members:
Latest Stories
-
Paris 2024: Opening ceremony showcases grandiose celebration of French culture and diversity
2 hours -
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths
3 hours -
Paris 2024: Ghana rocks ‘fabulous fugu’ at olympics opening ceremony
4 hours -
Trust Hospital faces financial strain with rising debt levels – Auditor-General’s report
4 hours -
Electrochem lease: Allocate portions of land to Songor people – Resident demand
4 hours -
82 widows receive financial aid from Chayil Foundation
5 hours -
The silent struggles: Female journalists grapple with Ghana’s high cost of living
5 hours -
BoG yet to make any payment to Service Ghana Auto Group
5 hours -
‘Crushed Young’: The Multimedia Group, JL Properties surprise accident victim’s family with fully-furnished apartment
5 hours -
Asante Kotoko needs structure that would outlive any administration – Opoku Nti
6 hours -
JoyNews exposé on Customs officials demanding bribes airs on July 29
6 hours -
JoyNews Impact Maker Awardee ships first consignment of honey from Kwahu Afram Plains
7 hours -
Joint committee under fire over report on salt mining lease granted Electrochem
7 hours -
Life Lounge with Edem Knight-Tay: Don’t be beaten the third time
8 hours -
Pro-NPP group launched to help ‘Break the 8’
8 hours