Cocoa farmers in Mfantseman in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region are struggling to access their farms due to extensive destruction caused by illegal mining activities, leading to the loss of several tonnes of cocoa produce.
Access routes to the farms have been rendered impassable following the excavation of deep and dangerous trenches by illegal miners. Farmers say the situation has persisted for more than a year, severely affecting their ability to transport harvested cocoa from the farms to their homes.
Previously, farmers relied on manual labour to cart produce, but many young people in the area have abandoned farming for illegal mining. Tricycles later became the main means of transporting cocoa, but that option is no longer viable as the roads leading to the farms have been destroyed by galamsey activities.
As a result, farmers say they are unable to evacuate a significant portion of their produce, leading to heavy financial losses. Beyond the economic impact, accessing the farms on foot has also become increasingly dangerous, with farmers risking their lives by navigating paths surrounded by open pits.
According to reports from local authorities, 27 people fell into galamsey pits and died in the municipality between January and August this year, creating fear and panic among residents and farmers.
The farmers are questioning why no major security operation has been carried out in Mfantseman despite similar interventions in other parts of the country. They are calling for urgent and forceful government intervention to halt illegal mining activities and protect their farms.
Residents also fear a possible outbreak of diseases as some of the abandoned mining pits have reportedly become refuse dumping sites, while others are allegedly being used by commercial sex workers as places of convenience.
In the neighbouring Upper Denkyira West District, health authorities say illegal mining continues to pose serious health and safety risks, with several acres of farmland and natural water bodies in the Denkyira enclave already destroyed.
The Paramount Chief of Denkyira, Odeefour Boampensem IV, has expressed deep concern over the situation and is calling on the government to intensify efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and reclaim degraded lands.
A land reclamation exercise initiated by the Central Regional Minister had shown some progress but was later suspended following allegations that DRIP equipment was being diverted for illegal mining activities. These claims have been denied by the Municipal Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira East.
In an interview with Channel One News, Central Regional Minister Eduamoah Okyere Ekow Panyin assured that the government will take steps to reclaim more farmlands and deal decisively with illegal miners operating in the area.
